(1933-05-05)May 5, 1933 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died
December 6, 2014(2014-12-06) (aged 81) Wareham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Playing career
1957–1959
Southern Connecticut
Position(s)
Running back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1960
Southern Connecticut (assistant)
1961
Springfield (assistant)
1962–1964
Bridgeport (assistant)
1965–1969
Bridgeport
1970
Massachusetts (RB)
1971–1972
Connecticut (assistant)
1973–1975
Kentucky (RB)
1976
Kent State (assistant)
1977
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (RB)
1978–1979
Montreal Alouettes (RB)
1980
New Orleans Saints (RB)
1981
Denver Broncos (special assistant)
1982–1987
Denver Broncos (RB)
1988
Los Angeles Raiders (WR)
1989–1991
Buffalo Bills (WR)
1992–1994
Indianapolis Colts (OC)
1995–1996
Jacksonville Jaguars (TE)
1997–1998
San Diego Chargers (AHC)
Head coaching record
Overall
24–22
Bowls
0–1
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 EFC (1969)
Awards
2× EFC Coach of the Year (1966, 1969) SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame (1995)
Anthero "Nick" Nicolau (May 5, 1933 – December 6, 2014) was a longtime National Football League (NFL) and college football assistant coach. He graduated from Southern Connecticut State University.[1]
He spent most of the 1960s -'70s coaching at college programs such as Bridgeport (Head Coach), Massachusetts, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Kent State.
Nicolau broke into the NFL with the New Orleans Saints in 1980 under then head coach Dick Stanfel. He moved on to the Denver Broncos, coaching the running backs from 1981 through 1987. Some of the players he coached included Dave Preston, Sammy Winder, and Steve Sewell.
A dispute ended his tenure in Denver. He landed with the Los Angeles Raiders, but got into a dispute with another assistant coach, Art Shell. Shell was supported by owner and managing partner Al Davis, who fired Nicolau. He then went to the Buffalo Bills and served as their wide receivers coach from 1989 to 1991. There he worked with talents such as Andre Reed and Don Beebe. It was rumored that Nicolau left Buffalo due to a dispute with offensive line coach Tom Bresnahan who became offensive coordinator the next season.
In 1992, he became the offensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts under head coach Ted Marchibroda with whom he worked in Buffalo. He helped the Colts to a 9–7 record in 1992 and an 8–8 record in 1994. He helped develop Reggie Langhorne as a receiver and worked with quarterback Jeff George as well. In 1994, he helped turn running back Marshall Faulk as a rookie while also working with both Jim Harbaugh and Don Majkowski at quarterback.
Nicolau then spent two seasons coaching the tight ends for the Jacksonville Jaguars, helping to develop Pete Mitchell as a blocker and receiver. In 1997, Jaguars offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride became the head coach of the San Diego Chargers and Nicolau followed him to California. There he served two years as the Chargers assistant head coach before retiring after the 1998 NFL season. He died at age 81, on December 6, 2014.[2]
^"Hall of Fame - Anthero 'Nick' Nicolau Class of 1957". Southern Connecticut State University. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
^"Longtime football coach Nicolau dies at 81". ESPN.com. December 6, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
Anthero "Nick" Nicolau (May 5, 1933 – December 6, 2014) was a longtime National Football League (NFL) and college football assistant coach. He graduated...
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Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers – Rod Dowhower Running Backs – NickNicolau Offensive Line – Jerry Frei Defensive coaches Defensive Line – Stan Jones...
Gladchuk (1948) Walter Kondratovich (1949–1959) Bob DiSpirito (1960–1964) NickNicolau (1965–1969) Ed Farrell (1970–1973) Ray Murphy (1974) Arnold Clifford...
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Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santa, or Santy) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian...
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