Damon Nivens is entering his first season as the Offensive Line Coach at Southern University.
As offensive line coach, Nivens hopes to instill a cohesive and strategic approach to the front line while adding to his personal knowledge base and fostering a sense of family within the program.
He spent the past few seasons in the same role at Prairie View A&M University.
Nivens joined the Panthers staff following a highly-decorated collegiate career where he became one of the most dominant offensive tackles in the history of Southern University football. Nivens also garnered playing time on defense as well. A football lifer, Nivens’ intensity and passion allowed him to enjoy professional stints in the NFL and NFL Europe before an unfortunate injury cut his playing career short.
Nivens then transitioned to the coaching ranks, imparting schematic knowledge of the trenches at the high school, collegiate and professional ranks. Known for a hard-nosed, blue-collar approach that gets the most out of players, the New York native has 16 years of experience on the sidelines. Notably, Nivens spent six years as offensive line and tight ends coach for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He also coached and interned for the New York Giants in 2017.
Under Nivens’ guidance in 2018, the Golden Lions allowed a league-low 10 sacks and opened holes for Taeyler Porter, who rolled up a SWAC-best 1,220 yards on the ground. Nivens, a member of the 2012 SWAC Championship-winning Golden Lions coaching staff, has tutored several All-SWAC performers such as David Aduo (second team) Christopher Williams (first team), Terron Armstead (second team) and Kenny Eagle (second team). Nivens’ one-on-one instruction of Armstead resulted in the development of the highest draft pick in UAPB’s history, and Armstead has since established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the NFL, as he has earned two Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro accolade in 2018 as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
Nivens’ coaching career began at his alma mater Southern. Working in a variety of posts during his tenures, Nivens developed a quartet of Jaguars linemen into All-SWAC performers: Demarcus Stewart (second team in 2007, first team in 2008), Trent Thomas (second team in 2007), Rafael Louis (second team in 2008) and Ramon Chinyoung (first team in 2009).
Nivens earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern University in 2003.
