Russ Gisclair is in his seventh season as tight ends coach for the Nicholls State University football program.
Under his direction, the tight ends have helped paved the way for the Southland Conference's most potent rushing attack over the last few seasons. The Colonels averaged over 200 yards rushing a game in 2018 and '19, and in the spring '21 season, ranked third in the FCS at 263.4 yards per game. With the success on the ground, tight end David Mosley became the first tight in team history to earn All-Southland First Team.
Along with contributing to the rushing game, tight end Jordan Talley chipped in with five combined touchdown catches in the 2018 and '19 seasons. Talley found the end zone three times in his final season, earning 2019 All-Southland Third Team honors.
Gisclair, a native of Cut Off, La., joined the Nicholls coaching staff after lettering four seasons with the Colonels from 2010-13. Playing primarily at fullback, he appeared in 38 career games for the Red and Gray and was a key blocker for Tuskani Figaro, who set the Colonels’ all-time single-season rushing record in 2013.
Gisclair earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Nicholls in 2014.
Following graduation, he spent half the season working with the Colonel coaching staff as offensive quality control. He finished the year serving as the offensive line coach at Vandebilt Catholic in Houma and in 2015, he joined the McNeese staff as a defensive assistant.
THE GISCLAIR FILE
Personal: Born August 23, 1990. Hometown: Cut Off, La. Family: Older brother, Dustin, played football (2003-06) and coached (2009-11) at Nicholls.
Coaching Experience: Nicholls (2014), offensive quality control; Vandebilt Catholic (La.) (2014), offensive line; McNeese (2015), defensive assistant; Nicholls (2015-present), tight ends.
Playing Experience: Played fullback at Nicholls (2010-13).
Education: Received a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Nicholls in 2014.
