There’s a new coach on campus and he has plans to bring a new feel of energy to Nicholls. Ricky Blanton, former LSU standout and new head coach for the Colonel basketball team accepted the position in late May after an exclusive search following the resignation of former head coach Ricky Broussard.

“In looking to fill the position, we were in search of someone with ties to Louisiana and the South, and proven experience in the game of basketball,” Robert Bernardi, athletic director said at a press conference held on May 23.

“Our choice certainly fits that bill, having played at the highest level and spending the last nine years teaching the game,” Bernardi said.

Blanton, a 36-year old native of Miami, Fla., comes to Thibodaux after spending the past 25 months directing the Ricky Blanton Basketball Academy in Baton Rouge. The academy instructs 700 youngsters annually in the fundamentals of basketball.

Prior to creating the academy, he spent time on the collegiate sidelines at his alma mater, Louisiana State University and Utah State.

He spent the 1996-1997 season in Baton Rouge assisting Dale Brown before moving to Logan, Utah to serve one season under current Iowa State mentor Larry Eustachy.

Blanton took advantage of his time as a collegiate assistant to learn every aspect of the game of basketball.

As a player, Blanton lettered four times at LSU for Brown, finishing his career with 1,501 points and 766 rebounds. He ranks 12th on the all-time Tiger lists in both categories.

Blanton finished his career with a bang, leading LSU in scoring as a junior and teaming up his senior season with then-freshman Chris Jackson to form the NCAA’s most potent scoring combination.

After collecting second-team All-SEC honors as a junior, Blanton was a first-team pick his senior year after scoring 648 points, representing the 10th-best single season showing in the 94-year history of LSU hoops.

Following his collegiate career, he was presented with the Maxwell House Spirit Award. In 2001, he gained induction into the SEC’s Living Legends Hall of Fame.

During his collegiate career, Blanton became an inspiration to certain athletes such as former LSU player and current Los Angeles Lakers player Shaquille O’ Neal in a press release written by sports information.

“When you talk about heart, Ricky Blanton is the definition of heart,” O’Neal said. “I was proud to wear the same number 33 as Ricky did during my LSU career. He was the eye of the tiger.

“I am happy to see him as the new head coach at Nicholls State University and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll do a great job.”

Prior to his coaching experiences, Blanton spent time honing his craft professionally, spending time with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls and overseas in Argentina, France and Italy. Blanton is currently active in the community volunteering with the Leukemia Society of America as well as the Special Olympics.

Now, Blanton will lead the Colonel basketball team as the ninth head coach in Colonels hoops history. Blanton says that he knows he has his work cut out for him and has plans to make major improvements to the program.

“The main thing that I would like to do is to give the people at Nicholls something to be proud of,” Blanton said. “I want to teach the team a stronger character and make the program at Nicholls known around the country.”

After their season of downfalls, Blanton says that the team will have to work harder than ever to find the success that the team possesses.

“What has to happen is that the guys will have to individually become stronger mentally and physically,” Blanton said. “If each individual continues to grow and is responsible for what they need to do, as a group we will have success.”

Blanton said that he knows that it will take time for the players to get used to him, but feels that it will be a learning process for him and the players.

“I’ve talked to a few of the athletes over the phone and I am anxious to met with all of them,” Blanton said.

“Change is not always easy, but this is a great group of kids and that will make things happen on the team.”

With the many transitions that Blanton will face and the new responsibility that he is taking on, the new head coach said that much of the success that the team needs will come only if the student body and the Nicholls community supports the team.

“I’ve played in many different arenas and I have seen the student body make a difference,” Blanton said.

“I will issue a big pitch to the student body in the fall. I want the students to get involved with the team. The team will feed off of the crowd and that’s the kind of atmosphere I want to bring to Stopher gym.”

The Colonel basketball team begins practice later this summer.