Nick Whitworth

Last updated

Nick Whitworth
Current position
TitleSpecial teams coordinator
TeamWake Forest Demon Deacons
ConferenceACC
Biographical details
Born Mackay, Idaho
Alma mater
Playing career
1998–2001 Idaho State
Position(s) Running back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2002 Idaho State (GA)
2003–2009Idaho State (STC/RB)
2010 Montana Western (OC/RB)
2011–2014 Central Washington (STC/RB)
2015–2018 Portland State (STC/RB)
2019–2021 Texas State (STC/RB)
2022–2024 Washington State (STC/TE)
2025-present Wake Forest (STC)

Nick Whitworth is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the Special teams coordinator at Wake Forest. He has also coordinated special teams at Washington State, Texas State, Portland State, Central Washington and Idaho State.

Contents

Coaching career

Idaho State

Immediately following the conclusion of Whitworth's playing career, he joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, Idaho State as a graduate assistant in 2001, working with the running backs and special teams for two years in this role. In 2003, he was promoted to the full-time staff as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He also coordinated the Bengals’ recruiting and summer camp programs. Over his tenure, Idaho State's special teams continued to improve, culminating in having the number 1 overall special teams unit in the Big Sky Conference in 2009. The Bengals ranked at the top of the conference in net punting, kick return defense, punt returns and 2nd in kick returns. [1]

Montana Western

In 2010, Whitworth got his first shot to run an offense when he was hired as the offensive coordinator at Montana Western. He was also the running backs coach. [1]

Central Washington

From 2011 to 2014, Whitworth was the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Central Washington. Again, his special teams units showed constant improvement as the Wildcats ranked fifth nationally in punt return defense, 11th in kick return average and 13th in kick coverage in 2013. In 2014, the Wildcats led the nation in kick return average and ranked 18th in punt return average. [1]

Portland State

From 2015 to 2018, Whitworth was the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Portland State. In his first season with the Vikings, Whitworth coached former wide receiver turned running back David Jones to a 1000-yard rushing season. He also helped develop Jonathan Gonzales in to an All-Big Sky kicker and Kameron Canaday in to an All-American and future NFL long snapper. Canaday went on to play five seasons in the NFL, spending 2016 with the Arizona Cardinals, and 2017–2020 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2016, Whitworth coached running backs Nate Tago and Paris Penn to all-conference seasons, while also coaching Gonzales to another all-conference season, along with punter Mason Kinsella, and special teamer Mitchell Thompson. Under Whitworth's watch, Thompson was again named all-conference in 2017, and in 2018, Whitworth guiding freshman kicker Cody Williams to an all-conference nod. [2]

Texas State

From 2019 to 2021, Whitworth was the special teams coordinator at Texas State. During his time at Texas State, Whitworth led a resurgence in special teams play as the Bobcats led the Sun Belt Conference in punt returns and kickoff coverage during the 2020 season. During that season, Whitworth mentored senior Jeremiah Haydel, who became the Bobcats' first FBS First-Team All-American return specialist. Haydel ranked third nationally in combined kick return yardage and was one of only two FBS players to return a kickoff and punt for touchdowns in his first season as a returner. [3]

The Bobcat offense was also stellar in 2020, increase its rushing output by nearly 65 percent from the previous season and averaged 369.7 yards of total offense and 27.7 points per game. [3]

Washington State

In January 2022, Whitworth was hired as the new special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Washington State by new head coach Jake Dickert. He is the first tight ends coach in over a decade, as the Cougars had long been an Air raid offense under Mike Leach and Nick Rolovich. [4]

Wake Forest

Following the 2024 season, Dickert was hired as the new head coach at Wake Forest. Soon after, Whitworth joined the staff as the special teams coordinator. [5]

Playing career

Whitworth was a running back and return specialist during his playing career at Idaho State, eventually earning all-conference honors at both positions. He was an all-conference, all-area, and all-state player at Mackay High School in Mackay, Idaho. [1]

Personal life

Whitworth earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and business finance at Idaho State in 2001. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Nick Whitworth". goviks.com. Portland State University SID. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Nick Whitworth". txstatebobcats.com. Texas State University SID. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Jake Dickert Adds Nick Whitworth to Cougar Coaching Staff". wsucougars.com. Washington State Athletic Communications. January 14, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  4. ↑ Clark, Colton (January 14, 2022). "Washington State hires Nick Whitworth as tight ends coach/special-teams coordinator". spokesman.com. The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Nick Whitworth". godeacs.com. Wake Forest University SID. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
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