North Florida Christian football hires Johnny Nichols as program's next head coach
The search for North Florida Christian's next head football coach is over.
The Eagles announced Wednesday that Pensacola native Johnny Nichols is the program's new head coach.
He is replacing Brent Hill, who stepped down in February to take a head coaching job in Tennessee at Chattanooga Notre Dame High School.
Nichols is a former University of Florida football player and two-time FHSAA state champion as a player at Escambia High School. He quarterbacked the team to back-to-back state championships in 1984 and 1985.
Nichols spent the last eight years coaching in Mississippi, most recently at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
Hill went 26-10 in his time with the Eagles, leading them to two regional finals, including winning the region in his final season before losing to eventual Class 1S state champion Cardinal Mooney.
Nichols comes to Tallahassee on the back of two playoff appearances with St. Andrews during his time in Mississippi.
Along with his time as head coach at St. Andrews, Nichols held coaching roles at St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison, Mississippi, and at Buchholz in Gainsville.
Nichols runs a similar offense to that of Hill's, an air raid style of play that looks to stretch opposing defenses.
He will lead the Eagles as the program competes in Class 1A this year following the Florida High School Athletic Association's changes to the classification systems. NFC will be in a district with FAMU DRS, Maclay and St. John Paul II.
“I am excited and thankful for this incredible opportunity to be a part of a program with such a history of success as North Florida Christian," Nichols said in a press release.
"The foundations have been laid year after year here, and I am honored that Dr. Phillips and Coach Posey have entrusted me to continue the tradition of winning – I can’t wait to get to work!”
Nichols's first official day at North Florida Christian will be on Tuesday, April 2. The Eagles will start spring football practices at the end of April, with the FHSAA's first official spring practice date set for Monday, April 29.
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: North Florida Christian hire Johnny Nichols as next head football coach
