Nic McKissic-Luke
| New York Jets | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Running backs coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 12, 1983 Phenix City, Alabama, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Central (AL) |
| College: | Alabama A&M |
| Career history | |
As a coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Nic McKissic-Luke (born December 12, 1983) is an American football coach who is the running backs coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He previously held the same role at several college programs including Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Youngstown State, South Dakota State, and Benedict College.
Early life and playing career
McKissic-Luke was born in Phenix City, Alabama, and attended Central High School.[1] He played college football at Alabama (2002–2003) before transferring to Alabama A&M University, where he played running back from 2004 to 2006. He finished second in career rushing yards at Alabama A&M and helped the team win the SWAC title in 2006. He graduated in 2007.
Coaching career
College career
McKissic-Luke began his coaching career in 2008 at Benedict College, where he spent five years coaching running backs, slot receivers, and handling strength and conditioning duties. In 2009 and 2010, the Tigers led the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in rushing.
From 2013 to 2015, he coached at South Dakota State, mentoring Zach Zenner, who later played in the NFL. McKissic-Luke helped the Jackrabbits make the FCS Playoffs each season.
He joined Youngstown State in 2016 as running backs coach and added special teams responsibilities in 2019.
At Northern Illinois, he held the roles of running backs coach, run game coordinator, and special teams coordinator. In 2021, NIU averaged over 240 rushing yards per game and won the MAC West title. His backs earned multiple All-MAC honors.
In 2023, McKissic-Luke became the running backs coach at Minnesota.[2] He mentored Darius Taylor, who was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and broke the school's true freshman rushing record.[3]
NFL career
In 2025, McKissic-Luke was hired by the New York Jets as their running backs coach, making his NFL coaching debut.[4]
Personal life
McKissic-Luke is engaged to Emily Wollet. He has a son, Nicolas, and two daughters, Georgia and Rylynn.[5] He participated in the NFL's Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 and 2012.[5]
References
- ^ "Nic McKissic-Luke". newyorkjets.com. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ "Minnesota to hire Northern Illinois running backs coach Nic McKissic-Luke". The Daily Gopher. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ "Facebook". minnesotasportsfan.com. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ "College Minnesota Gophers Football Report: New York Jets are Targeting Gophers RBS Coach Nic McKissic-Luke for Same Role". x.com. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "Nic McKissic-Luke - Football Coach - NIU Athletics". niuhuskies.com. Retrieved May 24, 2025.