University of North Carolina Athletics
Nichols Named To AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute
December 8, 2025 | Football
North Carolina's outside linebackers coach Ty Nichols has been named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, presented by Riddell InSite Analytics.
The institute is a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.
Under Nichols' direction, Melkart Abou Jaoude led the ACC and finished the regular season ranked fifth nationally with 10.5 sacks. He was tabbed a second All-ACC selection following the season by the Associated Press and the conference office.
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 joined the Carolina coaching staff in January 2025, following three seasons at Arizona, where he was an analyst for a season and a defensive graduate assistant for two seasons.
To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years old or younger on January 1st of that year's convention and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, a two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or an NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach.
The institute is a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.
Under Nichols' direction, Melkart Abou Jaoude led the ACC and finished the regular season ranked fifth nationally with 10.5 sacks. He was tabbed a second All-ACC selection following the season by the Associated Press and the conference office.
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 joined the Carolina coaching staff in January 2025, following three seasons at Arizona, where he was an analyst for a season and a defensive graduate assistant for two seasons.
To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years old or younger on January 1st of that year's convention and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, a two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or an NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach.
Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
/ Football
Linebacker
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