Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Nick Vagnone enters his second season as the Linebackers Coach / Recruiting Coordinator at Lenoir-Rhyne. Prior to joining LR, Vagnone spent two seasons at Keiser, where he helped lead the program to a 2023 NAIA National Championship. 

At Keiser, Vagnone was the linebackers coach and coached Jaelin Willis, who set three records in 2022 with 112 tackles, 59 unassisted tackles and six forced fumbles. Willis was an All-American that season. In his two seasons at Keiser, he helped lead the Seahawks to a 22-6 record, including a 22-1 mark over NAIA opponents. Keiser advanced to the NAIA National Title Game in his first year, and took home the National Championship during his second season. 

Prior to Keiser, Vagnone spent two seasons at Wingate University as a defensive graduate assistant. During this time he assisted with the coaching of linebackers and defensive linemen where three of his athletes earned all-conference honors and one earned all-region. Prior to Wingate, Vagnone spent five seasons between multiple high schools where he served as an assistant coach and eventually as a defensive coordinator.

Vagnone received both his Bachelor of Arts in history and his Master of Arts in Sport Management from Wingate University. He played inside linebacker for the University of Charlotte for three seasons before transferring to Wingate to finish out his playing career.