Missouri Tigers hire linebackers coach/co-DC from Miami Hurricanes football: report

Missouri Tigers football coach Eli Drinkwitz filled his vacant linebackers coach/co-defensive coordinator position on Thursday, according to multiple reports, hiring Miami co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Derek Nicholson.

D.J. Smith, the Tigers’ former linebackers coach/co-DC, left Mizzou for a defensive coordinator job with Appalachian State, his alma mater.

Nicholson spent the past two seasons at Miami, helping the Hurricanes to a 10-3 record. Before that, he worked for three years as Louisville’s linebackers coach.

In 2022, Nicholson coached Cardinals linebacker Momo Sanogo to a career year: Sanogo racked up 89 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries, earning All-ACC honors.

At Miami, Nicholson coached Francisco Mauigoa, who earned All-ACC second-team honors at linebacker the past two seasons.

Nicholson has also coached at Southern Miss, Alcorn State and Akron since beginning his coaching career in 2013. Before that, he was a standout linebacker at Florida State, then spent a few years in the NFL: He signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2009 as an undrafted free agent.

Missouri linebackers Chuck Hicks and Corey Flagg are out of eligibility and Brayshawn Littlejohn transferred out of the program. Triston Newson can return to the Tigers if he desires, thanks to a new junior college eligibility ruling. But he has yet to publicly announce his next move.

The Tigers are adding Josiah Trotter and Mikai Gbayor from West Virginia and Nebraska, respectively, via the portal. Khalil Jacobs, Nick Rodriguez and Jeremiah Beasley will be returning players.

Nicholson will have a stable of experienced linebackers for his first season in Columbia.

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