THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University head football coach Tommy Rybacki announced coaching staff additions heading into the 2025 campaign.
 
Darion Monroe has been promoted to defensive coordinator, Gabe Fertitta has been named offensive coordinator, while Collin Guggenheim will coach running backs and tight ends.
 
"I'm proud to announce that Darion Monroe has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator," Rybacki said. "Over the past three seasons, Darion has been a key part of our program and has proven he's the right person to lead our defense. A River Parishes native, he's been vital to our recruiting efforts and is highly respected by our players and staff. We're excited for Darion, his wife Bri, and their children Logan and Darion Jr. to remain part of the Colonel Family."
 
Monroe has been on the Colonels' football staff since 2022 where he began as the cornerbacks coach before coaching the entire secondary in 2024. The defense excelled as Nicholls finished the regular season ranked 12th in total defense while setting a new school single season record in rushing yards allowed with 83.9, which ranked fourth in the nation. The defense also had 29 turnovers gained, third best in the FCS, helped by 19 interceptions which ranked third as well. 
 
Monroe came to Nicholls after spending two seasons as a graduate assistant at the University of Central Florida where he worked with the secondary and helped the Knights win the Gator Bowl. Prior to UCF, Monroe spent 2019 as a defensive grad assistant working with safeties at Troy University. In 2018, he was assistant coach and passing game coordinator at Millsaps University in Jackson, Mississippi. A native of LaPlace, Louisiana, Monroe played at Tulane from 2012-15 as a safety. He earned All-Conference USA honorable mention as a sophomore and was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2012. Monroe was the AAC Defensive Player of the Week in '14 and ended his career with over 300 tackles. Monroe earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane in 2016 and was a member of the Green Wave's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
"We are excited to welcome Gabe Fertitta as our new Offensive Coordinator," Rybacki said.  "Gabe is a skilled teacher of the game, a Louisiana native with strong recruiting ties, and a man of great integrity who will be a positive role model for our student-athletes. We're thrilled to welcome Gabe, his wife, Charity, and their daughters Claire, Olivia, and Madelyn to the Colonel Family."
 
Fertitta will join the Colonels' staff after serving three seasons as the senior offensive analysis at Florida State University.  Fertitta spent the 2021 season at Louisville as a quality control assistant following a successful run as head coach at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fertitta was 43-8 in four seasons leading Catholic, taking the Bears to the state championship game all four years and winning state titles in 2017 and 2020. He was twice named District 5-5A Coach of the Year. He also was head coach at St. Stanislaus on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi for three seasons, including a 12-1 record with a trip to the third round of the state playoffs in 2013, and has a 59-25 overall record as a high school coach.
 
He gained collegiate coaching experience as offensive coordinator at Itawamba Community College in 2010, with current FSU offensive coordinator Alex Atkins coaching offensive line, and as a graduate assistant at Mississippi College in 2005. Fertitta played at Mississippi College, where he graduated cum laude with his bachelor's degree in English in 2005 and completed his master's degree in English education in 2010. Fertitta and his wife, Charity, have three daughters, Claire, Olivia and Madelyn.
 
"We're excited to announce that Collin Guggenheim will step into a new role as our Running Backs and Tight Ends Coach," Rybacki stated.  "Collin has been a leader on and off the field during his time at Nicholls, and his knowledge and experience will help develop our players. He will also take a key role in our community outreach efforts. We're thrilled to have Collin continue his journey with us in this new position."
 
Guggenheim exchanges his helmet for a whistle as he joins the staff after an accolade loaded career dawning the Red & Gray. The two-time ALL-SLC first team selection played in 46 games across five seasons, accounted for 35 total touchdowns and is the second all-time leading rusher (3,282) in program history.
 
Guggenheim has been a staple in the Thibodaux community since his arrival in 2020. He gives back in various ways including beginning the Thibodaux Chapter of Special Olympics Louisiana where he hosts events that are inclusive for all.