Nicholls State University

Lionel Stokes is in his first season with the Nicholls State University football program, serving as cornerbacks coach. He joined the Colonels after coaching three years at Jackson State.

Stokes was the defensive backs coach at JSU from 2017-18 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2019. In his lone season as the DC, the Tigers ranked second in the SWAC in pass defense at 197 yards per game. Jackson State also excelled on fourth-down defense, limiting the opposition to five conversions on 18 attempts. 

While as an assistant in 2018, Stokes helped lead the JSU defense that finished third in the SWAC in points allowed per game, second in yards allowed per game and was the second-best defense in the conference play against the rush. The Tigers also finished conference with a winning record for the first time since 2013.

Stokes, a two-year starter at defensive back at the University of Louisiana from 2010-11, returned to his alma mater where he served as a defensive graduate assistant. He worked with the defensive backs and helped with the day-to-day operations of the defensive staff including film breakdown, weekly game planning and managing academics.

In 25 games at UL, Stokes recorded 135 tackles and five interceptions playing both corner and safety. He was influential in the Cajuns first nine-win season since 1976, helping guide the program to the 2011 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl championship.

Stokes earned an associates degree in mathematics from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in 2009 before finishing up a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Louisiana in 2012. He went on to receive a Masters in Sports Management at UL.

Stokes and his wife, Bria, have one son, Maximus.