DUDLEY, Mass. (11/27/23) – Nichols College has promoted offensive coordinator
Vinny Marino to the position of head football coach, Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack Hayes announced today. Marino, who becomes the 15
th head football coach in Nichols' 91-year history, brings with him more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 15 years as an offensive coordinator at Brown, Bryant, Davidson, Georgetown, Columbia, and Holy Cross.
"
Vinny Marino is an innovative, organized, and experienced teacher of the game of football", said Hayes. "Throughout his career he has demonstrated an ability to recruit and develop student-athletes. He has the respect of our team members and staff and is ready to lead the Bison football program."
During his two seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Bison (2022-23), Marino elevated the Bison offense to back-to-back top rankings in the Commonwealth Coast Conference, which included a conference tie for 1
st in total touchdowns scored and a school record for touchdowns in a single season (48). In 2022 the Bison averaged 27.5 points per game and in 2023 that average grew to 35.6 points per game, compared to the 12.2 points per game in the season prior to his arrival. Additionally in 2023, Nichols ranked 29
th in total offense among the 238 Division III programs.
Prior to joining the Bison staff, Marino spent the 2019 campaign as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Brown University, where he assisted in transforming the Bears offense into an elite force that averaged 30.0 points per game and 454.5 total yards on offense. In addition to the passing numbers, the Brown run game also saw a significant improvement in 2019, with 153.4 yards per game up from 65.1 yards in 2018.
In Marino's first season at Bryant University in 2017, the Bulldogs put together one of the best offensive seasons in program history, finishing first in the Northeast Conference (NEC) in total offense and establishing program-records for both receptions and receiving yards in a single season. Throughout the same season, the Bulldogs put up 30.3 points per game while breaking the NEC record for passing yards per game in a single season.
Marino spent the 2016 season at Davidson following a two-year period at Boston College, where he served as BC's recruiting coordinator, assistant director of player personnel and a quality control assistant for the offense. Marino helped guide the Eagles to seven wins and an appearance in the 2014 New Era Pinstripe Bowl. While serving as the offensive coordinator at Columbia for six years, Marino's quarterbacks received All-Ivy recognition in five seasons.
"I am honored to be the next football coach at Nichols College", said Marino."I look forward to getting started immediately on building a culture of winning and establishing a program that develops successful young men in all aspects. It is a priority of mine to ensure that the football program aligns with the values of this great institution".
Marino graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in economics, and also earned a master's degree in physical education from Western Carolina in 1996.
What they are saying about Vinny Marino…
"I have known Vinny Marino for over twenty years. He is an outstanding football coach and a great fundamental teacher and communicator. His knowledge of recruiting in the Northeast is as good as it gets. Nichols is getting a tremendous person and leader who has a great passion for the game of football. The future is very bright for Nichols College with Vinny Marino as its head football coach."
-Steve Addazio, former Head Football Coach at Boston College
"Vinny Marino is exactly what you want in a head coach. His ability as an offensive coordinator to score points and be innovative is outstanding and he understands the importance of defense and special teams in having a successful program. His ability to recruit and relate to current and prospective student-athletes will allow him to attract the type of individuals that will help make Nichols College a championship contender."
-Randy Edsall, former Head Football Coach at the University of Connecticut & University of Maryland
"Coach Marino is an incredibly competitive coach who genuinely cares about his players. I look forward to following his success at Nichols."
-Tom Kennedy, Bryant graduate and current member of the Detroit Lions
"During my time at the University of Connecticut, Coach Marino was a smart, enthusiastic and diligent coach and teacher. He always made me feel like more than just a football player; and that made me want to work, prepare, and play my very best for him."
-Dan Orlovsky, ESPN Football Analyst and former NFL Quarterback
"I am excited for Vinny Marino and for Nichols College. Vinny is one of the most innovative offensive minds with whom I have worked. I have no doubt his track record of recruiting talented players and developing those players will help Nichols achieve championships in the future."
-James Perry, Head Football Coach at Brown University
"In 52 years of coaching football, I have been witness to some outstanding coaches. Vinny Marino has all the qualities to be an outstanding head football coach. He demands of himself what he demands from his student-athletes. I watched him coach a championship team while he was on my staff at the University of Richmond. He will be committed to the academic and athletic success of every member of the team and he will foster an environment of togetherness and teamwork."
-Jim Reid, former Head Coach at the University of Richmond and University of Massachusetts
