The “Renew Movement” is up and running around the Nicholls State University football team, and it started at the top with Head Coach Tim Rebowe.

Rebowe returned to the bayou from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he served 11 seasons as an assistant coach specializing in safties and linebackers. Under the instruction of Rebowe, the Ragin’ Cajuns’ defense enjoyed years of ranking at or near the top in every statistical category, and four consecutive New Orleans Bowl victories.

“There is a proud tradition around Nicholls State football,” Rebowe said. “The last couple years we’ve lost that and now it’s time to renew that spirit and pride, mixing it with the young men ready to carry it forward.”

Rebowe brought with him an entirely new staff of assistant coaches to revamp the Colonels on every side of the ball.

“I’ve brought in guys who are from the area that everybody knows,” Rebowe said. “It’s about building relationships with people and now we are building on the relationships with our recruited players.”

The Colonels will feature a pair of rushers who have gained 1,000 yards in the past seasons. Returning from the sidelines to behind center will be Tuskani Figaro, who attended Manning Passing Academy this summer to elevate his passing game to match his running threat. Running Back Michael Henry passed the century mark last season and will be complemented by fellow senior and dynamic back Tobias “T-5” Lofton.

The lifeblood of any team or business is recruiting. Rebowe coached and played in the state, specifically south of Baton Rouge, and has recruited his first signing class.

All 26 signees, eight of who garnered all-state recognition in their respective classifications, hail from not just Louisiana, but within 100 miles of Thibodaux.
These are dark times for Colonel football fans. With an 18-game losing streak looming large in the rearview mirror, Rebowe said they don’t look back. However, Nicholls has gone through worse storms before.

Next week marks the tenth anniversary (which seems like the complete wrong word to use in reference to the storm) of Hurricane Katrina. 2015 also marks the tenth anniversary of the Colonels last Southland Conference football championship.

No one is expecting a conference title run from this team; many would consider that achievement an unreachable star.

“It starts with the seniors, this is their chance to make a mark on the program,” Rebowe said. “I’ve been bringing in coaches and players who have been successful here to let them know we are all brothers on this field.”