UPDATE: Just five days after leading Bishop O’Dowd to victory in the state championship, head football coach Hardy Nickerson has accepted the position of head coach at JSerra Catholic in San Juan Capistrano. This groundbreaking appointment makes him the first Black head coach in the history of the Trinity League. The announcement was made on Wednesday, December 12, 2025.
Nickerson’s remarkable achievement at O’Dowd, culminating in a 37-0 win over Christian-El Cajon in the CIF Division 5-AA state championship, has propelled him into one of California’s most prestigious coaching roles. The job at JSerra Catholic is expected to pay up to $200,000, positioning Nickerson among the top earners in high school football coaching.
“I am very pleased to inform you that we hired Hardy Nickerson as our varsity head coach,” JSerra Catholic communicated via email to the school’s football parents. Nickerson was selected from a competitive pool of over 100 applicants, a testament to his impressive coaching credentials.
Returning to his roots, Nickerson is a graduate of Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles. He will succeed former JSerra coach Victor Santa Cruz, who was dismissed last month. In his four years at Bishop O’Dowd, Nickerson achieved a record of 31-17, leading the team to three consecutive North Coast Section postseason appearances.
In a statement following the championship win, Nickerson expressed his pride in his team’s resilience. “I’m just proud of this team, so proud of these young men,” he said. “They were dead in the water at 1-3, but the kids just kept buying in.”
The decision comes amidst a highly active coaching carousel this season, with notable candidates like Philip Rivers rumored to be in the mix. However, Nickerson’s proven track record and ability to inspire his players set him apart.
As JSerra looks ahead, Nickerson will be faced with the challenge of building on his predecessor’s legacy while also nurturing talent from a program expected to return nearly its entire roster next season.
Stay tuned for further updates as Nickerson embarks on this exciting new chapter in his coaching career, marking a significant moment in high school sports history.
