Nickell comes to the Golden Lions after one season as assistant head coach / offensive line coach at Lake Erie College.
Prior to Lake Erie College, Nickell served as the Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator at Lock Haven University. Their offense re-wrote the school's record books in every statistical category. LHU had one of the most explosive offenses in the PSAC, and in school history. From 2015-2019, the offense broke the school record for most points scored in a season, and total offense – twice. In fact, these teams entered the Top 10 in history for total offense (5x) passing yards (3x), scoring offense (3x), and rushing yards (2x). Their individual efforts did not go unnoticed in postseason accolades.
In five seasons, 17 offensive players earned All-Conference awards, 10 received All-Region nods, and 7 reached All-American status. Nickell also served as an offensive assistant at Kent State University before heading to the PSAC. He worked primarily with the offensive line and tight ends. In 2014, KSU only allowed 18 sacks in 442 pass attempts and produced All-MAC Tight End – Casey Pierce who signed with the Detroit Lions.
He began his career at Urbana University in 2011 as the Offensive Line and Tight Ends Coach. That season, UU earned only the second conference championship in school history.
Nickell was promoted to Run Game Coordinator following the season. 2012 and 2013 were also both special seasons for UU. The offense continued to flourish in both the GLVC and MEC conferences. Urbana finished #1 in Total Offense, and Passing Offense in three consecutive years in two different conferences.
Nickell graduated from Urbana University in 2011 with a degree in Special Education. He was a two-year team captain, which included the school’s first victory over a Division 1 opponent (University of Dayton), and conference championship season. He earned All-American honors on the offensive line as a senior and was also selected to the National Football Foundation’s Scholar-Athlete Team. Bill is a native of Celina, Ohio but now resides in the area with his wife, Andrea, and son, Luke.
