A.J. Nickoli

Title

Assistant Football Coach - Director of Football Operations / Tailbacks / Kickers / Punters / Pass Game Coordinator
Email

anickoli@ashland.edu
Phone

419-289-5720

YEAR: Fourth in 2025-26
PREVIOUS COLLEGE: Tiffin ‘21

AT ASHLAND UNIVERSITY

Nickoli will begin his fourth season with Ashland University's football program, and the first as its Director of Football Operations.
In 2023, Nickoli guided Larry Martin to a first-team All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference season, as he rushed for 903 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Before becoming the running back coach, Nickoli served as the team's assistant wide receivers coach. Logan Bolin, Garrett Turnbaugh, and Jent Joseph earned second-team all conference honors.

BEFORE ASHLAND UNIVERSITY

Nickoli spent the 2021 season at Tiffin as the quarterback graduate assistant. That season, he helped guide quarterback Nick Watson towards becoming the Great Midwest all time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completions.
In the spring of 2022, Nickoli became the tight ends for the Dragons.
Nickoli played at Tiffin (2017-21), where he played wide receiver, quarterback, and became the team's place kicker for three years.
As a kicker, Nickoli was an all-conference selection, and left as the program's record holder for most extra points made in a season.
Nickoli was a three-year letter winner at Lexington High School. He was a first-team all-conference wide receiver, as well as the program's record holder for career receptions (143). He also is in the Ohio state record book for consecutive games with a catch (22).