HAMPDEN-SYDNEY — Head football coach Marty Favret has recently announced the hiring of Nick Goins as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. Goins comes to Hampden-Sydney from North Carolina Wesleyan where he most recently served as interim head coach. Goins brings a wealth of experience both at the coaching ranks and as a former player.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Nick join our staff,” said Favret. “He has been successful everywhere he has been as both a coach and a player, and he will bring a lot to the table to our staff and our program.”

Prior to his stint as interim head coach at North Carolina Wesleyan, Goins spent five years on the Bishops' sidelines as linebacker coach from 2008-2010 and as defensive coordinator from 2010-2012. He also served as recruiting coordinator while helping North Carolina Wesleyan to back-to-back USA South Championships in 2009 and 2010. As defensive coordinator, Goins' Bishops saw great success leading the NCAA in tackles-for-loss in 2010 (11.3 per-game) while setting 12 school records. He also coached two league Defensive Players of the Year and the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2010.

“I am ecstatic to join the Hampden-Sydney football program and for the opportunity that Coach Favret has given me,” Goins stated. “The tradition here speaks for itself, and I cannot wait for the challenge of being a part of the next championship team at Hampden-Sydney.”

Goins also coached linebackers at Wesley University from 2006-2008 and helped the Wolverines to a 24-3 overall record over those two seasons while securing a spot in the Division III National Semifinals. From 2004-2006, he was the linebacker coach, run game coordinator, and defensive coordinator of the junior varsity team at Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana. Goins got his start in coaching at his alma mater, Hanover College, serving as linebackers coach from 2001-2004. During that span, the Panthers posted a 23-9 overall record with two Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships and two NCAA postseason appearances.

Goins graduated from Hanover in 2001 with a degree in Spanish. A three-year letter winner, Goins helped Hanover win three HCAC Championships with three NCAA Playoff appearances as a linebacker. As a senior, he earned All-HCAC Honors while leading the team and finishing third in the conference in total tackles. His four year record of 37 wins as a player is the most of any class in Hanover football history.

Goins resides in Farmville with his wife Brooke.