St. Clair Announces Two Staff Additions

Interim Nebraska head coach Justin St. Clair announced the addition of assistant coaches Vincent Johnson and Maddy Nilles to the Nebraska track and field coaching staff on Thursday.

Johnson will be working with the horizontal jumps and sprints groups, while Nilles will help oversee the Husker throwers.

“These two coaches both bring a lot of fantastic energy and enthusiasm to our program,” said St. Clair. “They relate well with others, especially when it comes to on-and-off the track with student-athletes. In talking with these two, they carry themselves at a high level and have a fantastic ability in communicating with coaches, student-athletes and recruits.

“I am really excited about this opportunity for Coach Johnson and Coach Nilles and I look forward to working with each of them. Our program is in a great position and our staff is ready to work hard and diligently to continue the legacy of Nebraska track and field.”

Johnson joins the Huskers after serving as the sprints and jumps coach and recruiting coordinator at Kansas State for the last 11 seasons. In his time at K-State, Johnson helped guide the horizontal jumps and sprints to new heights, guiding the Wildcats to a national championship, individual conference championships and numerous All-America honors.

The K-State jumpers and sprinters totaled two NCAA titles, eight Big 12 championships, three first-team All-Americans and a 4x100m relay squad that placed eighth overall at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships. As the recruiting coordinator, Johnson helped the Wildcats land a pair of top-10 recruiting classes according to Track and Field News.

“I would like to thank Vice Chancellor, Director of Athletics Trev Alberts and Executive Associate AD for Compliance Jamie Vaughn for providing me with an opportunity to embark upon a new journey with the Nebraska track and field program,” said Johnson. “Coach Pepin is a legend in our sport and I have the utmost respect for what he has done for Nebraska track and field. I am excited they have entrusted Coach St. Clair to take over the reins and I can’t wait to assist with his vision in this new chapter.

“My family and I are grateful for our time at Kansas State and would like to extend our gratitude to the K-State leadership staff for embracing us. We will undoubtedly miss the K-State family and our many friends in the Manhattan community, but we are excited and to represent the Nebraska track and field program.”

Nilles is elevated to an assistant coach after serving the 2021-22 season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Husker throwers. Before Nebraska, she was thrower under St. Clair at North Dakota State. With the Bison, Nilles was a four-time All-American in the hammer and weight throw and a two-time Summit League champion. Named the 2018 Summit League Outdoor Championships Field MVP, she placed fifth at the U.S.A. Indoor Championships and was an Olympic Trials participant.

“It is an honor to be able to work for such a prestigious program,” said Nilles. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a motivated coaching staff to take the track and field program to new heights. Coach St. Clair has been my coach and mentor for the last eight years and having the chance to work directly with him is a dream come true.

“I hope to assist in developing the throws program and bring lots of energy to the team. Having been through coach St. Clair’s program as an athlete, I understand what is expected and when and how things should be done. Transitioning to the coaching side, I hope to be a valuable tool not only for coach and the throws group, but also the athletes and coaching staff of the entire track and field program.”