Anderson, April Jr. named to Stubbs’ Nicholls football team

Nicholls State head football coach Charlie Stubbs promised he’d quickly hire his coaching staff when he was named the Colonels coach less than a month ago.

Stubbs is doing his best to make good on his promise, as the first-year coach has hired Justin Anderson and Bobby April Jr. to the team’s staff for next season.

“As a head coach or a potential head coach, you’re always keeping track of a list of potential guys you’re attracted to as assistant coaches,” Stubbs said. “And both of these guys fit what we were looking for.”

Anderson joins Stubbs’ staff as the wide receivers and tight ends coach, following a two-year stint at BYU, serving as an intern and a graduate assistant.

Prior to joining the collegiate ranks, Anderson cut his coaching teeth as the offensive coordinator for Harmony High School in Florida from 2004-07.

Anderson was also a two-year letter winner as a receiver for BYU from 2001-02, catching 22 passes for 204 yards in his career. He also served a Church mission to San Antonio during his time in college.

“He understands all of the things that I value,” Stubbs said. “He understands things beyond coaching receivers and tight ends – he understands the style of coaching that I want and the work ethic that I want.”

Stubbs, who will serve as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, said Anderson’s hire was a critical one, because of how closely the two will work together during the season.

“Having him took a lot of stress off of me, because I knew I didn’t have to retrain somebody to coach that position,” he said. “That’s a big plus to us.”

Anderson has Louisiana ties as his wife is from Thibodaux.

“That is definitely a little added bonus,” Stubbs said.

April joins the Colonels staff following a three-year stint as the inside linebackers and special teams coordinator at Portland State.

With Nicholls, April will again coordinate special teams and will also coach the Colonels’ safeties.

In his prior job, April’s special teams units were known for their attacking and aggressive nature. At Portland State, April coached the team to three blocked field goals; three blocked extra points and two forced turnovers.

Stubbs said immediately following his hire, he received a call from April’s father – longtime NFL special teams coach and Nicholls alum, Bobby April Sr., who mentioned his son was available.

“He didn’t put any kind of pressure or anything like that, he just threw it out there,” Stubbs said. “So then I went and did my own research and saw what a solid job he had done in his other positions.”

April grew up in Mandeville and attended St. Paul’s High School while his dad served as the special teams coach for the Saints.

Like his father, the younger April also has NFL experience and he served as an intern for the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.

Stubbs said he spoke with former Portland State coach Jerry Glanville and he gave April a rave review.

“He gave him a glowing recommendation from all areas, not just special teams,” Stubbs said. “He said he’s an excellent coach, an excellent teacher and an excellent recruiter.”

The Colonels also announced that Jeremy Atwell and Dustin Gisclair will return to the staff for next season.

Atwell will serve as the team’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and Gisclair will coach the team’s defensive line.

Stubbs said he met with Atwell “three or four times” since taking over with the Colonels.

“We met up and he laid out his defense to me and told me what his philosophies were as a coach,” Stubbs said. “We’re going to work well together.”

With four assistant coaches on staff, the Colonels staff is beginning to round into place.

But Stubbs said he plans to hire a few more pieces within the next few weeks.

“We hope to have everything finished up by Mardi Gras,” he said.