Alumni Spotlight

 

 

Jake Nulph

Class of 2001

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edinboro University named Jake Nulph as their Football Coach in January of 2020. 

 

In his own words ...

I played college football at Robert Morris University while earning my bachelor's degree in communication studies in 2005 while being a member of the National Communication Honors Society. I was a two time letter man at strong safety and a special teams captain in 2004.

 

Football has always been an important part of my life. I was fortunate enough to start my coaching career in 2005 while earning my masters degree in communication and information systems in 2007. I coached running backs, quarterbacks, and defensive backs at my alma mater for 4 years before accepting a position at Allegheny College in 2009 as a defensive backs/assistant special teams coach.

 

After helping the Gators to an 8-2 record, I took a job at Saint Francis University as the special teams coordinator/defensive backs coach. My four years at SFU were some of my most trying and rewarding times in my profession. In 2011, I was named the youngest defensive coordinator in FCS football. In a 4 year window I held titles as a special teams coordinator, defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and linebackers coach. 

 

In 2013, SFU had its first winning conference record in school history and we finished the year ranked 9th in the NCAA in total defense. It was a complete rebuild and a very rewarding experience.

 

In 2014 I accepted the defensive coordinator/special teams coordinator position at Westminster College. The four years I spent at Westminster helped the Titans rebuild their program into two ECAC bowl wins and was the conference's best defense for three straight years (2015-2017). In 2018, I accepted the special teams coordinator/defensive backs job at Duquesne University.

 

Duquesne posted its most successful season in school history as we finished the year with a Northeast Conference championship, a first round playoff victory over Towson, a sweet sixteen playoff appearance, and a final ranking of #21 in the country. In 2019 while coaching special teams and defensive backs at IUP, we finished the year 10-2 with an NCAA playoff appearance.

 

In January of 2020, I was named the head coach of Edinboro University. I was taught at a young age by my parents to dream big and work hard. Nothing in life will be handed to you. The work you put in will guide your path. Set goals and don't lose sight of them. The faculty and staff at Apollo-Ridge helped me on this journey and pushed me to be better. The friendships and relationships at AR will always be bonded into my DNA.

 

High school was such an important part of my foundation of the man I have become today. It was a time that I will always hold dear in my heart. I am so proud to be an Apollo-Ridge Viking! I was not only active in athletics, but I took

full advantage of everything AR had to offer.

 

I played 4 years of varsity football for the Vikings lettering in 3 of them and was a two time all conference quarterback and defensive back. I was voted first team valley news dispatch and leader times as a quarterback. My senior year, I helped guide AR to its only undefeated season in school history and its first conference title. I was a 3 year letterman in track & field and was a WPIAL finalist 2 of the 3 years. My senior year, I competed in 36 events where I finished in 1st place in 31 of the events. I was named Who's Who among high school student athletes and was recognized by Wendy's as a high school Heisman finalist.

 

I was also active in the school newspaper and was student council president my senior year. I was also in the musical Grease as Vince Fontaine. The teachers and coaches at Apollo-Ridge molded, inspired, and pushed me to be the best version of myself. I hope I have had an impact on their life just as they had on mine.