Charleston, S.C. The Citadel Athletics Department announced the hiring of defensive backs coach Nick Toth to join the football staff for the 2009 season. Toth previously served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio.

In his time at Ashland, the Eagles participated in their first post season appearance since 1997 and finished the 2007 season ranked in the top-25.  Prior to Ashland University, Toth served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa. for the 2006 season. 

Toth, a 1999 graduate of Ohio University, was a four-year letterman for the Bobcats and started games on both offense and defense.  Following graduation, Toth spent the 1999 season coaching defensive backs at Eastlake North High School in Eastlake, Ohio.  From 2000-2001 Toth served as defensive graduate assistant at Ohio University while earning his M.S.P.E in athletic administration before moving to Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota to serve as the recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach for the 2002 season.

Nick returned to Ohio University for the 2003 and 2004 seasons to serve first as the tight ends coach and then as the defensive line coach.  During this time, the Bobcat defense was among the leaders in the Mid-American Conference and was nationally ranked.  In 2005, Toth served as the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator for Elon University in Elon, N.C.

“We are excited to have Nick on our football staff,” said Bulldog Head Coach Kevin Higgins. “He has experience as a defensive coordinator and a special teams coordinator. His extensive knowledge as a secondary coach will help us immediately. Nick also has excellent people skills and will do a great job recruiting. We welcome Nick, his wife Jen and their two boys to the Citadel community.”

Toth, his wife Jennifer, and sons Nicholas (3 years) and Michael (1 year) will reside in Charleston.