April 1, 2008

THIBODAUX, La. - Head football coach Jay Thomas announced the hiring of running backs coach Johnny Tart on Tuesday morning, and in light of the hire, Thomas pushed back the start of spring drills till Thursday April 3.

"We are excited to have Johnny here. He is a high energy guy, and brings a lot of experience to us," said Thomas. "We are going to try and get him up to speed as fast as we can before Thursday when we start spring ball."

Tart comes to Nicholls after serving one season at Bellhaven College as the offensive line coach. Heading into this spring, Tart was promoted to running backs coach and recruiting coordinator before taking the open position at Nicholls.

Prior to his one year tour of duty at Bellhaven, Tart spent three seasons at Pearl River Community College as the running backs coach. While at Pearl River CC, the squad won two state championships and was national JUCO Runner-Ups in 2006.

Before his three year stand at Pearl River CC, Tart spent two seasons at Itawamba Community College working with wide receivers. He helped coach his squad to two post-season appearances in the Mississippi junior college playoff system.

The Hattiesburg, Miss. native first got his coaching career underway in the college ranks at East Mississippi CC in 2003 where he worked primarily with receivers. Before he made the jump to the college ranks, Tart served as the quarterback and running back coach at Hattiesburg High from 1998-2002 where he prepped. While there, Tart helped coach the team to a state runner-up title in 1998.

Tart was a standout high school athlete for Hattiesburg High where he ran track and played wide receiver and defensive back on the football team. He currently resides in Thibodaux, La.

Spring Practice will begin this Thursday April 3 at 3:30 p.m. The updated schedule is below.

Thursday April 3 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Friday April 4 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Saturday April 5 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Monday April 7 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Tuesday April 8 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Thursday April 10 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Friday April 11 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Saturday April 12 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Monday April 14 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Tuesday April 15 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Thursday April 17 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Friday April 18 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Saturday April 19 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.*

Monday April 22 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Tuesday April 23 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Thursday April 25 7 p.m. spring game

*-Colonel Fest in conjunction with Nicholls Baseball vs. Northwestern State

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