NSU names Brumfield as special teams coordinator

After losing his former special teams coordinator to the NFL, Nicholls State coach Charlie Stubbs has found his replacement – another guy with roots in the professional game.

The Colonels announced last week that they have hired former Fairmont State University special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield to fill the position left vacant last month when Bobby April Jr. left the Colonels’ program to take a job as defensive quality control coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he will work with his father, Bobby April Sr.

With the Colonels, Brumfield will also double as Nicholls’ safeties coach.

“We are very excited to have Ricky Brumfield join our staff,” Stubbs said. “Not only does he bring a wealth of experience in the area of special teams, but he also fits everything we’re looking for in a coach, because he values academics and looks at the total student-athlete.”

Brumfield, 34, lands in Thibodaux after having spent the past seven years with Fairmont – a NCAA Division II football program.

Under his tutelage, the Fighting Falcons were No. 1 in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in special teams, blocking five kicks, forcing two turnovers and scoring two touchdowns as a unit.

With the Fighting Falcons, he also was a wide receivers coach and coached a receiver to the East-West Shrine Game. He started in the coaching ranks in 2001, working as a special teams coordinator for Union College.

When not coaching for Fairmont State, Brumfield spent five summers as an assistant at various NFL camps, taking that knowledge back to his players. From 2007-09, the coach worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers, assisting with the team’s special teams and wide receivers.

“I’m very excited to be here and I want to thank Coach Stubbs for selecting me to be a part of his staff,” Brumfield said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with these kids and the program, and to have a winning tradition.”

While landing at Nicholls will be a promotion, it will also be a homecoming for the New Orleans-born Brumfield.

Brumfield graduated Archbishop Shaw and was an All-District and All-Westbank wide receiver as a player, which was good enough to earn him a scholarship to Utah State, where he lettered for four seasons – two of which the Aggies won the Big West Conference Championship.

Back in Louisiana, Stubbs hopes Brumfield will assist in the team’s recruiting efforts, which are primarily focused on southern Louisiana.

“Being a native of New Orleans, I believe his knowledge of the area will further strengthen our philosophy of recruiting in-state,” Stubbs said.

The coach agreed and said for the first time in his coaching career, he’ll relish the opportunity to have a cheering section of his own at home games.

“I’m also glad to be home,” Brumfield said. “I’m excited about my parents being able to see me coach. All and all, I’m just excited to be a part of this program and a part of this staff.”

All of the reunions are one thing. Make no mistake about it, Brumfield said, he’s in Thibodaux to do one thing – win.

The coach will take over a Colonels’ special teams group that ranked first in the Southland Conference in punting, second in kickoff coverage, fourth in kickoff returns and sixth in punt returns.

Gone from that mix will be an integral piece – graduating All-American punter Patrick Dolan.

Regardless, the coach believes his unit will piece things together and help the Colonels be successful.

“First and foremost, I want to come in and win a conference championship,” he said.

New Nicholls special teams coach Ricky Brumfield gives instructions to players last season at Fairmont State University. The coach will replace Bobby April Jr. who joined the Philadelphia Eagles staff. FAIRMONT STATE ATHLETICS