NIC McKISSIC-LUKE enters his first season with the New York Jets, after joining Aaron Glenn's staff as the running backs coach, bringing 17 years of collegiate coaching experience.

In his most recent stint with Minnesota (2023-24) as the program's running backs coach, McKissic-Luke saw running back Darius Taylor make significant strides in his sophomore season (2024), rushing for a career high 986 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning his second consecutive All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection.

Under Mckissic-Luke's guidance in 2023, Taylor rushed 138 times for 799 yards, the fifth most ever by a freshman in school history, and five touchdowns despite only playing six games. Taylor, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times, averaged 133.2 rushing yards per game, the third best mark in school history, and set a true freshman rushing record with 208 yards against Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Prior to Minnesota, McKissic-Luke spent three seasons at Northern Illinois, first as running backs/fullbacks coach in 2020, adding run game coordinator and co-special teams coordinator titles in 2021 and then as run game coordinator, running backs coach, and special teams coordinator in 2022.

In 2022, the Huskies had the number two rushing offense in the MAC at 190.4 yards per game, while Antario Brown (6.26) and Harrison Waylee (5.45) ranked first and second in the conference in yards per rush.

McKissic-Luke spent his first three seasons at Youngstown State (2016-18) as the running backs coach before adding special teams coordinator to his duties in 2019. He helped five players receive All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades during his tenure at Youngstown State, including Tevin McCaster, who earned the recognition in consecutive seasons (2017-18) under McKissic-Luke's guidance.

Under McKissic-Luke, punt returner Jake Coates garnered second team all-conference honors after setting school records for punt return yards, both in a game and a season, in 2019, while senior tailback, Joe Alessi, had his best rushing season of his career, recording 803 yards on 136 carries and five touchdowns. In 2016, YSU tailbacks Martin Ruiz and Jody Webb earned All-MVFC first-team and honorable mention accolades, respectively, and played a key role in Youngstown State's run to the National Championship Game

While with South Dakota State (2013-15), McKissic-Luke helped guide the Jackrabbits to the FCS Playoffs each year. During his first two seasons, McKissic-Luke worked with Zach Zenner, a consensus All-American and two-time first team All-MVFC selection who later played five seasons in the NFL.

McKissic-Luke began his career at Benedict College, where he spent five seasons coaching running backs and slot receivers. The Tigers led the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in rushing in consecutive seasons in 2009 and 2010.

In addition to his collegiate coaching career, McKissic-Luke spent two summers (2011, 2012) with the Arizona Cardinals through the Bill Walsh-Minority Coaching Internship.

A graduate of Alabama A&M, McKissic-Luke finished second in career rushing yards with more than 2,000 yards in three seasons (2004-06) for the Bulldogs. During his senior year, he helped lead Alabama A&M to the 2006 Southwestern Athletic Conference crown.

McKissic-Luke and his wife, Emily, have a son, Nicolas, and two daughters, Georgia and Rylynn.

FLIGHT PATH

New York Jets 2025-Present

Running Backs 2025-Present

University of Minnesota 2023-24

Running Backs 2023-24

Northern Illinois University 2020-22

Run Game Coord./Special Teams Coordinator 2022

Run Game Coord./Co-Special Teams Coordinator 2021

Running Backs/Fullbacks 2020

Youngstown State University 2016-19

Running Backs/Special Teams 2019

Running Backs 2016-18

South Dakota State University 2013-15

Running Backs/Co-Special Teams Coord. 2013-15

Arizona Cardinals 2011-12

Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship 2012

Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship 2011

Benedict College 2008-12

Running Backs/Slot WRs/Strength & Conditioning 2008-12

PLAYING CAREER

Alabama A&M (RB) 2004-06

Alabama (RB) 2002-03