Former Vol joins Carson-Newman coaching staff

Former Tennessee Volunteer Nick Reveiz has joined the Carson-Newman coaching staff as a graduate assistant working with the Eagles linebackers.

Reveiz finished his career with the Vols in 20010 with a 108-tackle season, including a career high 14-tackle performance in the Music City Bowl versus North Carolina.

While the three-time academic All-SEC selection’s playing pedigree, it was what is in Reveiz’s heart that impresses Carson-Newman head football coach Ken Sparks.

“He doesn’t just talk it, he walks it and has done so in several settings,” Sparks said. “And now he’s in another setting where he can make a difference with our kids. We’re just fired up to have him on our staff.”

For Reveiz, the opportunity to coach along side a 300-win coach was almost too good to be true.

“As soon as coach Sparks offered me this opportunity, I knew it was something that I couldn’t pass up,” Reveiz said. “I’m really excited to dive in and see what this coaching world is like.”

Reveiz’s father Fuad was a Vols placekicker before an 11-year NFL career in which he kicked 188 field goals and 367 extra points. After spending time as a businessman, Reveiz said he had to jump at the opportunity to get back into the sport with which he grew up.

“I love football, I’ve got a passion for it,” Reveiz said. “It’s been a part of me since I was six and watching my dad play growing up. My wife and I prayed specifically for one door to open. That door was Carson-Newman. I don’t think that was by chance, I think that was by the Lord’s leading.”

As such, Reveiz is thrilled to work in an environment where Christ comes first.

“(The Christ-centered nature) is what it’s about. In the long run, let’s look at football for what it is, it’s a game. But at the same time, it’s a platform to share the Gospel and to share Christ for eternity.”

Reveiz will get to help tutor a group of linebackers that has the potential three senior starters at each position. Jonathan Sites (Hendersonville, Tenn.) – Carson-Newman’s leading tackler from 2012 – returns to bolster a strong unit that also features Gregory Beauduy, Jarelle Emanuel and Jaycob Coleman – who sat out the second half of the season with an injury.

“A big part of (coming in) is that I’m learning under coach Clowney and Sparks and making sure I’m speaking the same language as them,” Reveiz said. “It’s about me serving these guys.

“Hopefully I can bring something to the table and coach them up based on my experiences. But whether it’s retrieving balls, or teaching technique, I just want to help out.”