Nick Whitworth

Nick Whitworth is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the Special teams coordinator at Wake Forest. He has also coordinated special teams at Washington State, Texas State, Portland State, Central Washington and Idaho State.

Coaching career

Idaho State Immediately following the conclusion of Whitworth's playing career, he joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, Idaho State as a graduate assistant in 2001, working with the running backs and special teams for two years in this role. In 2003, he was promoted to the full-time staff as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He also coordinated the Bengals’ recruiting and summer camp programs. Over his tenure, Idaho State's special teams continued to improve, culminating in having the number 1 overall special teams unit in the Big Sky Conference in 2009. The Bengals ranked at the top of the conference in net punting, kick return defense, punt returns and 2nd in kick returns.

Montana Western In 2010, Whitworth got his first shot to run an offense when he was hired as the offensive coordinator at Montana Western. He was also the running backs coach.

Texas State From 2019 to 2021, Whitworth was the special teams coordinator at Texas State. During his time at Texas State, Whitworth led a resurgence in special teams play as the Bobcats led the Sun Belt Conference in punt returns and kickoff coverage during the 2020 season. During that season, Whitworth mentored senior Jeremiah Haydel, who became the Bobcats' first FBS First-Team All-American return specialist. Haydel ranked third nationally in combined kick return yardage and was one of only two FBS players to return a kickoff and punt for touchdowns in his first season as a returner.

The Bobcat offense was also stellar in 2020, increase its rushing output by nearly 65 percent from the previous season and averaged 369.7 yards of total offense and 27.7 points per game.

Wake Forest Following the 2024 season, Dickert was hired as the new head coach at Wake Forest. Soon after, Whitworth joined the staff as the special teams coordinator.

Playing career Whitworth was a running back and return specialist during his playing career at Idaho State, eventually earning all-conference honors at both positions. He was an all-conference, all-area, and all-state player at Mackay High School in Mackay, Idaho.

Personal life Whitworth earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and business finance at Idaho State in 2001.