NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt football head coach Clark Lea announced Wednesday that veteran coordinator Nick Howell has been named defensive coordinator.
“Nick brings a wealth of experience in the role of defensive coordinator, but more importantly, he is skilled at building an environment to drive the style of defense we want to see at Vanderbilt,” Lea said. “Nick will be an excellent culture builder for us and he has already started building relationships with our men. I’m excited to have Nick leading our defense and we’re looking forward to watching the unit progress under his direction.”
Howell was hired in January to coach Vandy’s defensive backs after spending the previous six seasons as the defensive coordinator at Virginia. During his time at Virginia, the Cavaliers received a bowl bid in four seasons, highlighted by an ACC Coastal championship and Orange Bowl invitation in 2019. That season, Virginia led the ACC in defensive touchdowns. Virginia’s 2018 defense finished among the top-20 nationally in opponent passing efficiency (12th), passing yards allowed (16th), team defense (20th) and scoring defense (20th). With a 28-0 victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl, the Cavaliers became the first non-SEC team to shutout an SEC team in a bowl game since 1975. Bryce Hall led the nation with 22 pass breakups, earning All-America honors from five outlets.
In his first two seasons, Virginia produced three first-team All-ACC selections in Quin Blanding, ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Brenton Nelson and Juan Thornhill. Linebacker Micah Kiser won the Campbell Trophy after leading the ACC in tackles for a third straight season.
Prior to Virginia, Howell spent nine seasons at BYU, rising up the ranks from defensive intern to defensive coordinator. He helped the Cougars to eight bowl games in that time. Howell’s final BYU defense in 2015 was sixth nationally in sacks per game, while his 2014 unit finished 20th nationally in rushing defense. In 2013, BYU’s up-tempo offense caused the Cougar defense to be on the field for the fourth-most plays in the country, with BYU finishing the season ranked 12th nationally in yards allowed per play, 16th in pass efficiency defense and 22nd in scoring defense.
Howell got his coaching start at the high school level, serving as head coach and defensive coordinator at three Utah high schools before being hired at BYU. He graduated from Weber State in 2005 and received a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2007. Howell and his wife, Brooke, have four children.
Lea opens his second season at the helm of his alma mater with the start of spring practice on March 16. The Commodores open the regular season Aug. 27, at Hawai’i before the home slate begins Sept. 3 against Elon. Season tickets are on sale now.
