Jeremy Atwell

Jeremy Atwell is in his fifth season as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Colonels, second as assistant head coach and seventh overall with the Nicholls football staff.

Last season, senior linebacker Jordan Piper emerged as one of the top tackler’s in the NCAA, racking up a Southland best 9.7 per game. At UCA, Piper tied the single-game program record of 23 tackles, which was set in 1977.

Atwell, who spent four years as the defensive coordinator at Thibodaux High School, first joined the Nicholls staff as the defensive end coach in 2001.

A native of Tulsa, Okla., Atwell wrapped up a distinguished playing career at Southeast Missouri State in 1999 as he was named first-team All-Ohio Valley as a linebacker, leading the OVC in both tackles and tackles for a loss.

Atwell arrived in Cape Girardeau in January of 1998 after spending two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in his home state. At NEO, Atwell earned second-team all-conference accolades as a linebacker after making the move from strong safety his freshman season.

After winding up his playing career, Atwell spent a year working with the SEMO program as a student coach. Included in his responsibilities were coaching the Indians’ secondary and coordinating weekly film exchange. He also coordinated the walk-on program and graded and evaluated recruits on film.

Atwell and his wife, the former Cindy Adams, have two sons, Christian (11) and Cameron (4), and a daughter, Callie-Claire (8).