HONORS/HIGHLIGHTS
- Led Nicholls to Southland Conference titles in 2018, '19, and '23
- Southland Conference Coach of the Year (2023)
- Team had five consecutive winning season (2017-21), a first in program history
- Nicholls made three consecutive appearances in FCS playoffs -- 2017-19
- Colonels won first-round games in '18 and '19
- Nicholls recorded its fourth FBS win and first against a Power 5 by defeating Kansas in 2018
- 2018 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Football co-Coach of the Year
- Ninth in voting for 2017 Eddie Robinson Award
- 2017 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Football Coach of the Year
MILESTONE VICTORIES AT NICHOLLS
- 1st overall/Southland win -- Oct. 17, 2015 -- HBU (38-17)
- 1st overall/Southland road win -- Nov. 7, 2015 -- at Lamar (30-28)
- 1st River Bell Classic victory -- Nov. 19, 2015 -- at Southeastern (27-24)
- 1st win in NSU Rivalry -- Oct. 29, 2016 -- at Northwestern State (31-14)
- 1st win vs. FBS/Power 5 Conference -- Sept. 1, 2018 --Â at Kansas (26-23, OT)
- 1st win vs. ranked opponent -- Sept. 22, 2018 -- #11 Sam Houston (27-7)
- 1st shutout -- Nov. 15, 2018 -- Southeastern (44-0)
- 1st FCS playoff win -- Nov. 24, 2018 -- vs. #18 San Diego (49-30)
- Became program's all-time leader in wins (40th victory) -- Oct. 2, 2021 -- HBU (48-17)
- Won 50th career game -- Oct. 21, 2023 -- at Texas A&M-Commerce (27-7)
Tim Rebowe is in his ninth season as head coach of the Nicholls State University football team.
In his eight years at the helm, Rebowe has turned the Colonels into a championship-caliber program by leading Nicholls to back-to-back Southland Conference titles and three consecutive appearances in the FCS playoffs - both firsts in school history. The Red and Gray climbed into the rankings in 2017 for the first time in 10 years and were a mainstay in the Top 25 in the following seasons.
Saying Rebowe has led Nicholls to new heights would be an understatement. Prior to his arrival in 2015, the Colonels had three postseason appearances all-time and only two winning records in Southland play since joining the league in 1991. Under Rebowe, Nicholls has already doubled its playoff appearances and has posted a .500 or better mark in the SLC in the last seven years.
Although Nicholls saw its streak of five straight winning seasons come to an end in 2022, all three victories came in league play as they finished 3-3 in conference. The Colonels knocked off HCU and Texas A&M-Commerce, as well as longtime rival McNeese. Highlighting several true and redshirt freshman who saw the field was linebacker Eli Ennis, who was named Southland Freshman of the Year.Â
In the fall of 2021, the Colonels ended the season with a 6-5 overall record -- giving the program a winning campaign for the fifth straight season. Nicholls had to deal with adversity right out of the gate as Hurricane Ida displaced the team for two weeks, spending most of that time in Memphis. After playing the season opener, the Colonels rallied and nearly knocked off in-state foe Louisiana, which finished the season nationally ranked in the FBS Top 25. Nicholls was able to keep its winning-record streak alive with another thrilling victory at Southeastern in the River Bell Classic, as the Colonels secured the Bell for the third time in the previous four classics.Â
Nicholls went 4-3 in the condensed 2021 spring season, fueled by a record-breaking offense. The Colonels scored more than 50 points in three different wins and averaged a school record 48.7 points per game and 521.6 yards of offense. The defense also claimed its second shutout in league play in the last three campaigns, blanking Lamar in the 55-0 conference opener.
With three straight 7-2 records in the Southland from 2017-19, the Colonels won the league championship in ‘18 and ‘19 and represented the SLC in the playoffs in all three seasons. Nicholls not only made the postseason, but earned first-round victories in the last two appearances.Â
Rebowe vowed to build the program by recruiting local talent and has continued to bring in high-caliber players, with the majority coming from within a 100-mile radius of Thibodaux. The 2016 recruiting class was donned by some as the best in the program’s history and the group of seniors delivered, leaving Nicholls as the all-time winningest class.
The 2019 season featured a second consecutive nine-win campaign, highlighted by victories in the de facto championship bout with rival Southeastern Louisiana and another first-round triumph in the FCS playoffs. Following a thrilling 28-27 win over the Lions in the River Bell Classic for the league title, Nicholls hosted a playoff game for the third year in a row and advanced with a victory over North Dakota. But the season came to an end in the next round at No. 1 North Dakota State, which went on to win a third-straight FCS title. With a 9-5 overall record, Nicholls ranked No. 14 in the final FCS polls.Â
En route to another SLC championship in 2019, the Colonels swept their Louisiana rivals - McNeese, Northwestern State, and Southeastern Louisiana - for the first time since 2005. Rebowe’s Colonels also put to rest their final losing streak in conference with a dominating 34-14 win over playoff participant Central Arkansas. The Bears had won the last eight matchups, but only two against Rebowe after the teams did not play in ‘17 and ‘18.Â
Nicholls landed a school-record eight players on the 2019 All-Southland First Team, including three superlative award winners. Defensive lineman Sully Laiche earned player of the year, while quarterback Chase Fourcade garnered offensive player of the year and P.J. Burkhalter was named top offensive lineman. Laiche was also the first Colonel to be a top 3 finalist for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the best defensive player in the FCS.Â
After earning an at-large berth into the playoffs in 2017, the Colonels left no doubt in their postseason fate in ‘18 after winning the Southland championship and receiving the league’s automatic berth into the playoffs. Nicholls went 7-2 in league play for the second straight season to claim the program’s first title since 2005.Â
The Colonels hosted a first-round playoff game for the second time in as many years, but this time, Nicholls came away victorious with a 49-30 win over San Diego. A loss in the next round to national runner-up Eastern Washington ended the campaign and Nicholls finished with a 9-4 record. The nine wins were the second most in program history.
Another highlight of 2018 was an overtime victory at FBS Kansas in the season opener. After coming up short against FBS programs Georgia, Texas A&M, and South Alabama, Rebowe’s Colonels notched the program’s first win over a Power 5 opponent with a 26-23 win over the Jayhawks.
The 2018 Colonels featured 15 All-Southland selections, including the program’s first Southland Player of the Year - quarterback Chase Fourcade. Rebowe also received recognition for his outstanding work, being named Louisiana Sports Writers Association co-Coach of the Year, which was his second state honor in three years.Â
Nicholls not only ranked among the best in the Southland in offense and defense, but the Colonels also posted impressive numbers in the FCS. The Red and Gray ranked 12th in the nation in rushing offense and total offense, and had the 11th-rated rush defense to go along with ranking 21st in points allowed.
With a season-opening win at Kansas and a victory over preseason favorite Sam Houston State in the opening month, Nicholls maintained its preseason Top 25 ranking and reached as high as No. 10 in the polls. The Colonels were ranked in every poll for the season, finishing at No. 14 in both major polls.
Year 3 of Rebowe’s tenure saw the program reach new heights. Nicholls finished the regular season with an 8-3 overall record and an all-time best 7-2 mark in the Southland Conference. The team was ranked for the first time since 2007, and the Colonels hosted an FCS playoff game – a first in program history.
Although the Colonels came up short in their postseason game against South Dakota, they finished ranked in the top 25 in both polls. Along with the rankings and playoff game, highlights for the season included the program’s most wins since 1996 and the six-game winning streak was the longest in 31 years.
Rebowe’s 2017 campaign did not go unnoticed by the national and local media. He was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, which is given to the FCS top head coach, and finished ninth in the voting. He was then recognized as the top coach in the state as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association named him LSWA Coach of the Year.
Rebowe completely changed the culture in his first year, ending a program-record losing streak and led Nicholls to a pair of road victories in Southland play. In 2016, the Colonels recorded their first winning campaign in the SLC since 2005 and finished tied for fourth place. Before Rebowe arrived, Nicholls had finished last in the league for four consecutive seasons.
Despite going 0-2 out of the league in 2016, the Colonels made their presence known early on with impressive showings against FBS opponents. Nicholls shocked the country in the opening weekend by nearly knocking off No. 9 Georgia in a 26-24 decision. Just two weeks later, the Colonels lost a heartbreaker in overtime at South Alabama, 41-40. The Colonels threatened again in ‘17 to take down an FBS program, Texas A&M, but after tying the game in the fourth quarter Nicholls came up short, 24-14.Â
A 60-year old native of Norco, Louisiana, Rebowe was named head football coach on Nov. 21, 2014, becoming the 10th in the program’s history. Rebowe, who coached at Louisiana-Lafayette as an assistant for 11 seasons and was a former assistant coach at Nicholls for six years, not only brought a wealth of experience coaching at the collegiate level but has strong ties to the state of Louisiana having coached within the borders his entire career.
Rebowe helped lead the Ragin’ Cajun program to four consecutive New Orleans Bowl victories and a conference championship under head coach Mark Hudspeth. During his tenure at ULL, he served as the safeties coach (2004-07, 2011-14) and linebackers coach (2008-10).
In 2014, ULL’s defense ranked first in the Sun Belt in rushing yards allowed and red zone defense, while ranking second in points allowed. The defense finished with seven interceptions on the year, including two by cornerback Corey Trim, who was named All-Sun Belt Second Team Defense. Under Rebowe’s tutelage in 2013, the Cajuns tied for the conference lead with 14 interceptions. Two years prior, his safeties combined for five interceptions, with three returned for touchdowns.Â
Rebowe’s group had a stellar year in his first season as defensive backs coach in 2004 as the defense ranked 11th in the nation in passing yards allowed. Both of his starting safeties that year, C.C. Brown and Antwain Spann, would go on to the NFL. The following season, the pass defense finished 23rd in the nation in yards allowed.
As a linebackers coach, Rebowe guided the team’s leading tackler in all three seasons and also had two players earn All-Sun Belt recognition.
In 1995, Rebowe took his first collegiate job, joining Darren Barbier’s staff at Nicholls. From ‘95-’99, he served as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator before coaching the receivers in 2000. Rebowe was part of the biggest turnaround in FCS history as the Colonels went 0-11 in ‘95 before earning a playoff spot the very next season with an 8-4 mark.
Rebowe began his coaching career in 1988 at his alma mater, Destrehan High School. While there, he coached Super Bowl Champion and NFL Hall of Famer Ed Reed.
Following his stint with Nicholls, Rebowe coached the cornerbacks at ULM from 2001-03.
Rebowe earned his bachelor of science in physical education from LSU in 1987. He is married to the former Kim Robichaux, and they have a daughter, Samantha, and a son, Tyler, who graduated from Nicholls in the spring of 2016.
THE REBOWE FILE
Personal: Born February 25, 1963. Hometown: Norco, La. Family: Married to the former Kim Robichaux; has a daughter, Samantha, and a son, Tyler.
Previous Coaching Experience: Destrehan (La.) High (1988-91), defensive backs and special teams; Destrehan (La.) High (1992-94), head coach; Nicholls (1995-99), defensive backs, special teams and recruiting coordinator; Nicholls (2000), receivers and recruiting coordinator; ULM (2001-03), cornerbacks; Louisiana (2004-07), safeties; Louisiana (2008-10), linebackers; Louisiana (2011-2014), safeties; Nicholls (2015-present), head coach.
Education: Bachelor’s degree of science in physical education from LSU in 1987
COACHING RECORD AT NICHOLLS
Â
Year |
 Overall |
 Pct. |
 SLC |
 Pct. |
 SLC Finish |
 2015 |
 3-8 |
 .273 |
 3-6 |
 .333 |
 10th/11 |
 2016 |
 5-6 |
 .455 |
 5-4 |
 .556 |
 t4th/11 |
 2017    |
 8-4   |
 .667 |
 7-2 |
 .778 |
 t3rd/11 |
 2018    |
 9-4 |
 .692 |
 7-2 |
 .778 |
 1st/11 |
 2019 |
 9-5 |
 .643 |
 7-2 |
 .778 |
 1st/11 |
 2020 |
 4-3 |
 .571 |
 3-3 |
 .500 |
 t3rd/7 |
 2021 |
 6-5 |
 .545 |
 5-3 |
 .625 |
 3rd/6 |
 2022 |
 3-8 |
 .273 |
 3-3 |
 .500 |
t4th/8 |
 Total |
 47-43 |
 .522 |
 40-25 |
 .615 |
|
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