University of North Carolina Athletics
Football
vs
TCU
Aug 29 (Sat)
Noon
Ty Nichols
- Title:
- Outside Linebackers Coach
Ty Nichols joined the North Carolina coaching staff in January 2025 and is in his second season as the outside linebackers coach for the program.
Under his tutelage, Melkart Abou Jaoude ranked fifth nationally and led the ACC with 10.5 sacks, the sixth most in a single season in Tar Heel history, en route to earning Second Team All-ACC honors.
Additionally, outside linebacker Tyler Thompson tallied seven sacks to tie for the fifth most in the league.
Abou Jaoude and Thompson formed the nation's second-most productive sack duo with 17.5, trailing only Texas Tech's David Bailey and Romello Height, who combined for 21.
Nichols was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, presented by Riddell InSite Analytics, in December 2025.
He comes to UNC following three seasons at the University of Arizona, where he was an analyst for a season and a defensive graduate assistant for two seasons. He worked primarily with the Wildcats' defensive line and linebackers.
Under his guidance, Arizona defensive lineman Tre Smith ranked 15th in the Big 12 Conference in sacks with 4.5. Smith finished the 2024 season with 53 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss.
In his second season with the Wildcats, Nichols helped the 2023 UA defense finish fifth nationally in fourth down conversion percentage defense (.300). Arizona won 10 games that season and defeated No. 12 Oklahoma, 38-24, in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Arizona’s 2023 squad led the league in red zone defense (.760), as opponents had their drive end with zero points 12 times and were held to a field goal 10 times. The Wildcats’ defense held opposing teams to 25 points or fewer in nine of their 13 games.Â
The defense also recovered 10 fumbles to rank 16th in the nation and second in the Pac-12 Conference.
Prior to coaching in Tucson, Nichols coached at Idalou High School in Texas for one season, where he was a standout for the Wildcats on both sides of the ball.Â
Nichols spent three years on the football staff at Texas Tech from 2019-21, helping lead the Red Raiders to a 34-7 bowl game victory against Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl. He graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in mathematics and civil engineering.
Nichols’ Year-by-Year Coaching History
2022-2024: Arizona (Analyst)
2025-Present: North Carolina (Outside Linebackers Coach)
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Under his tutelage, Melkart Abou Jaoude ranked fifth nationally and led the ACC with 10.5 sacks, the sixth most in a single season in Tar Heel history, en route to earning Second Team All-ACC honors.
Additionally, outside linebacker Tyler Thompson tallied seven sacks to tie for the fifth most in the league.
Abou Jaoude and Thompson formed the nation's second-most productive sack duo with 17.5, trailing only Texas Tech's David Bailey and Romello Height, who combined for 21.
Nichols was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, presented by Riddell InSite Analytics, in December 2025.
He comes to UNC following three seasons at the University of Arizona, where he was an analyst for a season and a defensive graduate assistant for two seasons. He worked primarily with the Wildcats' defensive line and linebackers.
Under his guidance, Arizona defensive lineman Tre Smith ranked 15th in the Big 12 Conference in sacks with 4.5. Smith finished the 2024 season with 53 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss.
In his second season with the Wildcats, Nichols helped the 2023 UA defense finish fifth nationally in fourth down conversion percentage defense (.300). Arizona won 10 games that season and defeated No. 12 Oklahoma, 38-24, in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Arizona’s 2023 squad led the league in red zone defense (.760), as opponents had their drive end with zero points 12 times and were held to a field goal 10 times. The Wildcats’ defense held opposing teams to 25 points or fewer in nine of their 13 games.Â
The defense also recovered 10 fumbles to rank 16th in the nation and second in the Pac-12 Conference.
Prior to coaching in Tucson, Nichols coached at Idalou High School in Texas for one season, where he was a standout for the Wildcats on both sides of the ball.Â
Nichols spent three years on the football staff at Texas Tech from 2019-21, helping lead the Red Raiders to a 34-7 bowl game victory against Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl. He graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in mathematics and civil engineering.
Nichols’ Year-by-Year Coaching History
2022-2024: Arizona (Analyst)
2025-Present: North Carolina (Outside Linebackers Coach)
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Saturday, July 18
Saturday, July 18
Saturday, July 18
Tuesday, June 23
