Associated Press LOS ANGELES — USC assistant football coach Dave Nichol died Friday in McKinney, Texas. He was 45.Nichol, a Texas Tech grad, spent five seasons with the Arizona Wildcats, from 2007-11. He began as an offensive graduate assistant in 2007, working with the offensive line. He was promoted to outside receivers coach in 2008 and added the inside receivers in 2009. He left for East Carolina in 2012.
“We are heartbroken and devastated,” Riley said. “Dave was such a tremendous human being and a fantastic football coach. He absolutely loved the game and constantly poured his heart and soul into his teams. He will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. We, as a program, look forward to playing and coaching for him as we move forward.”
“We are stunned by this, and Dave meant a lot to all of us,” Leach said in a statement. “While we are all suffering the pain of this loss, our thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family, friends, players and coaches during this tough time. Dave was family to us, and he was loved by all who knew him. Always a smile on his face, Dave had such a positive personality, attitude and energy.