JSerra Athletic Director Chris Ledyard has announced that Hardy Nickerson has been hired as the school’s new Head Football Coach.

Coach Nickerson comes to JSerra Catholic High School with a highly decorated background as a collegiate and professional football athlete, as well as a distinguished NFL, collegiate, and high school football coach.

A native of Compton, California, Nickerson attended and played football at Verbum Dei Jesuit High School where he won two CIF-SS championships.

Nickerson played football collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley where he was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection.

He was selected in the fifth round of the 1987 National Football League draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During his 16-year playing career in the NFL, Nickerson played with the Steelers (1987-92), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993-99), the Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), and the Green Bay Packers (2002).

He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time first team All-Pro selection, and a two-time second team All-Pro selection who amassed 1,586 career tackles, 21 sacks, 12 interceptions, and 14 fumble recoveries.

Nickerson was named to the 1990’s All-Decade team and holds the NFL record for the most combined tackles in a season (214), which he set in 1993.

After his playing career, Nickerson served as a linebackers coach for the Buccaneers, the Chicago Bears, and the San Francisco 49ers.

He was also the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Illinois.

Nickerson recently embarked on his second stint as the Head Football Coach at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California.

He was head coach of the Dragons from 2010-2013 and returned to lead the program starting in 2022.

This season Nickerson guided the Dragons to their first CIF-NCS title since 2018 and their first CIF NorCal Regional and CIF State Championship since 2016.

JSerra Athletic Director Chris Ledyard pointed to Nickerson’s successful background as a player, coach, mentor, and family man as vital in his selection to lead the JSerra Lions. “Hardy has a humble heart and knows what it means to be great. He has demonstrated this greatness in all facets of his life, as much on the field as off the field. He has been a beacon of both humility and magnanimity throughout his entire life.”

President Rich Meyer added, “Coach Nickerson is, first and foremost, a man of deep faith. What is more, he has demonstrated his ability to cultivate character in young men while succeeding at all levels of football as both a player and a coach. I could not be more excited for the future of our program rooted in mission under his leadership.”

Coach Nickerson detailed his unbridled excitement in becoming the new leader of the JSerra football program.

“I’m excited to lead JSerra football into a new era. Lou Holtz believed you must build your empire on the foundation of the fundamentals and that philosophy resonates deeply with me. Our program will be built on effort, toughness, and enthusiasm.

Together, we will set a new standard and build something special on and off the field.”