North Florida Christian's search for its next head football coach is over.
The Eagles announced Wednesday that Pensacola native Johnny Nichols will be the program's new head coach.
He replaces Brent Hill, who resigned in February to take the head coaching position at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Nichols is a former University of Florida football player and two-time FHSAA state champion as a player at Escambia High School. As quarterback, he led the team to back-to-back state championships in 1984 and 1985.
Nichols has spent the past eight years coaching at Mississippi State, most recently at St. Andrews Episcopal School in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
Hill went 26-10 with the Eagles and led the team to two regional finals, including a regional championship in his final season, losing to eventual Class 1S state champion Cardinal Mooney. Ta.
Nichols comes to Tallahassee with experience from his time at Mississippi, where he made two playoff appearances at St. Andrews.
In addition to his time as head coach at the University of St. Andrews, Nichols also held coaching roles at St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison, Mississippi and Buchholz School in Gainesville, Mississippi.
Nichols runs an offense similar to Hill's, making air raid style plays that seem to stretch the opponent's defense.
This year, the program will lead the Eagles competing in Class 1A following changes to the classification system by the Florida High School Athletic Association. NFC falls into the district of FAMU DRS, McRae, and St. John Paul II.
“I am excited and grateful for this great opportunity to join a program with a history of success like North Florida Christian,” Nichols said in a press release.
“The foundation has been laid here every year, and I'm honored that Dr. Phillips and Coach Posey have entrusted me to carry on the winning tradition. I can't wait to get to work!”
Nichols' first official day at North Florida Christian will be Tuesday, April 2. The Eagles will begin spring football practice at the end of April, with the FHSAA's first official spring practice date set for Monday, April 29th.
Liam Rooney covers prep sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Reach me by email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamroone.y
