Football
Monroe, Nick
Nick Monroe
- Title:
- Safeties/Nickelbacks
- Email:
- njmonroe@syr.edu
- Phone:
- 4817
A dynamic recruiter who has recruited and developed NFL talent, Nick Monroe spent seven seasons with the program. He joined the staff in 2016 and served as Syracuse’s secondary coach for two seasons before narrowing his focus to the Orange’s safeties and nickelbacks in 2018 and safeties and rovers in 2020, before taking on the defensive passing game coordinator role in 2022.
Monroe is known for his elite recruiting ability, bringing in and developing of Andre Cisco (Jacksonville Jaguars), Trill Williams (Miami Dolphins) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (Detroit Lions), the three defensive backs in the Orange’s 2021 NFL Draft Class that all went on to ink rookie contracts with the aforementioned teams.Â
Over the past five seasons, Monroe has co-directed a Syracuse pass defense that has thrived on creating turnovers. The Orange have intercepted 58 passes in 60 games (0.97 per game) since the start of 2018, including a streak of 17 straight games with a pick from Aug. 31, 2018 to Sept. 21, 2019. The streak tied for the third-longest in major college football since 2004.Â
Monroe was elevated to defensive passing game coordinator in the winter prior to the 2022 season, yielding one of the best passing defenses in recent memory for the Orange. 'Cuse finished 14th in the nation and second in the ACC, surrendering just 184.8 yards per game through the air in 2022, doing so despite lockdown corner and defensive captain Garrett Williams missing the back-half of the season due to injury. As a whole, the defense finished 21st nationally in total defense, allowing 328.6 yards per game. After defensive coordinator Tony White left to pursue another coaching opportunity, Monroe took over play calling duties for the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl against Minnesota. His team allowed just 21 points defensively and held the Gophers to 215 total yards in the contest.
It was the second-straight season that the defense allowed under 330 yards per contest. The group excelled in 2021 as well, as ‘Cuse put together its best total defense season in a decade, before being bested a year later, finishing second in the ACC and 19th nationally after allowing just 330 yards per game.
In his first year coaching safeties and rovers in the 3-3-5, Monroe took a group that lost a pair of NFL DBs due to injury early in the season in 2020, turning to start three freshmen at the three spots. Ja’Had Carter became a Freshman All-American under his watch, finishing the year with 67 tackles and two interceptions. Rob Hanna also notched north of 50 tackles in his first season of college football.
In 2018, Syracuse’s defensive backfield was fifth nationally in interceptions (18). His unit was directly responsible for 11 picks, including an FBS-leading seven by freshman Cisco. The takeaways contributed to a 111-46 advantage in points off turnovers, as the Orange went 10-3 and won the 2018 Camping World Bowl. Cisco was voted the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and became the first true freshman in program history to earn All-America honors.
Cisco continued to flourish as a sophomore in 2019. He led the conference for the second year in row with five interceptions and ranked fourth nationally in interceptions per game (0.6). Cisco also tied for third in the ACC in passes defended per game (1.11) on his way to All-ACC Second Team honors. As a team, the Orange ranked fifth nationally in passes defended per game at 5.67 per contest. Â
In addition to his mentorship of Cisco, Monroe worked with Evan Foster from 2016-19. A three-year starter at strong safety, Foster concluded his career ninth among Syracuse defensive backs with 234 career tackles. Â
An injury to Cisco ended his 2020 season after two games but Monroe’s protege was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by Jacksonville. The Orange accumulated 11 interceptions in 11 contests.
Monroe served as the secondary coach at Bowling Green from 2010-15. He consistently produced units that ranked among the nation’s best and helped the Falcons to four straight bowl games and two Mid-American Conference (MAC) titles. Monroe’s guidance also helped turn Jude Adjei-Barimah into a contributor in the National Football League. A defensive back for Bowling Green from 2011-14, Adjei-Barimah played 23 games (eight starts) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015-16.
Monroe inherited an inexperienced unit at Bowling Green that featured four new starters. In two seasons, he molded them into one of the stingiest defensive backfields in the country. Featuring All-MAC performers BooBoo Gates and Cameron Truss, the 2012 Falcons ranked 13th nationally in passing defense (190.1 ypg) to help lift the team to an 8-5 record and an appearance in the Military Bowl.
The following season, the Bowling Green secondary was even better. The Falcons finished sixth in the FBS against the pass (170.9 ypg) and Gates earned All-MAC First Team honors for the second year in a row. As a team, Bowling Green won its first conference championship since 1992 and played Pittsburgh in the 2013 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
In 2014, his first season working for Dino Babers, Monroe successfully oversaw the maturation of safety Brian Sutton and the development of two young cornerbacks. Sutton’s production skyrocketed from the previous season as he jumped from 43 to 102 tackles. In addition, rookie cornerbacks Nick Johnson and Clint Stephens combined for nine interceptions. The unit also featured Adjei-Barimah, who recorded 82 tackles. The Falcons won the MAC East title and defeated South Alabama in the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
In 2015, Bowling Green posted a 10-4 record, won the MAC championship for the second time in three seasons, and earned a berth in the GoDaddy Bowl. Monroe’s defensive backfield finished eighth in the FBS with 20 interceptions, including a team-high six picks by cornerback Alfonso Mack.
Monroe coached defense for six years at Colgate University. He instructed the outside linebackers from 2004-05 and then shifted to secondary coach in 2006. In 2009, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator and helped implement a scheme that led the Patriot League and was 29th nationally in total defense (308.2 ypg) that year. Colgate was 9-2 and held seven of its opponents to 20 points or less. Monroe served as the team’s recruiting coordinator for five seasons.
In his last three years with the Raiders, Monroe mentored four first-team All-Patriot League selections (Uzi Idah, Wayne Moten, Chris Ekpo, Cody Williams) and one second-team honoree (Moten). In addition, defensive back Demitri Diamond was named the 2009 Patriot League Rookie of the Year.
Colgate won a pair of Patriot League titles (2005, 2008) while Monroe was on staff and made two Division I-AA (now FCS) playoff appearances.Â
Monroe was the secondary coach in 2002 and 2003 at Allegheny College. He helped the Gators capture the 2003 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship and earn a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Monroe was a four-year letterwinner at cornerback for St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. He earned his undergraduate degree in marketing from the school in 2001.
Nick and his wife, Nicole, have a son, Wyatt.
THE MONROE FILE
Experience: 22nd season/8th at Syracuse
Hometown:Â Mahtomedi, Minn.
Alma Mater:Â St. Cloud State '01
Family:Â wife, Nicole; son, Wyatt
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
St. Cloud State (1997-2001)
Â
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2003 Division III Playoffs (First Round)
2005 Division I-AA Playoffs (First Round)
2008 FCS Playoffs (First Round)
2012 Military Bowl
2013 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
2014 Camellia Bowl
2015 GoDaddy Bowl
2018 Camping World Bowl
2022 Pinstripe Bowl
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
Colgate
Demitri Diamond (2009 Patriot League Rookie of the Year)
Cody Williams (Hamilton Tiger-Cats - CFL)
Bowling Green
Jude Adjei-Barimah (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Fleet - AAF)
Syracuse
Andre Cisco (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Ifeatu Melifonwu (Detroit Lions)
Trill Williams (Miami Dolphins)
Monroe is known for his elite recruiting ability, bringing in and developing of Andre Cisco (Jacksonville Jaguars), Trill Williams (Miami Dolphins) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (Detroit Lions), the three defensive backs in the Orange’s 2021 NFL Draft Class that all went on to ink rookie contracts with the aforementioned teams.Â
Over the past five seasons, Monroe has co-directed a Syracuse pass defense that has thrived on creating turnovers. The Orange have intercepted 58 passes in 60 games (0.97 per game) since the start of 2018, including a streak of 17 straight games with a pick from Aug. 31, 2018 to Sept. 21, 2019. The streak tied for the third-longest in major college football since 2004.Â
Monroe was elevated to defensive passing game coordinator in the winter prior to the 2022 season, yielding one of the best passing defenses in recent memory for the Orange. 'Cuse finished 14th in the nation and second in the ACC, surrendering just 184.8 yards per game through the air in 2022, doing so despite lockdown corner and defensive captain Garrett Williams missing the back-half of the season due to injury. As a whole, the defense finished 21st nationally in total defense, allowing 328.6 yards per game. After defensive coordinator Tony White left to pursue another coaching opportunity, Monroe took over play calling duties for the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl against Minnesota. His team allowed just 21 points defensively and held the Gophers to 215 total yards in the contest.
It was the second-straight season that the defense allowed under 330 yards per contest. The group excelled in 2021 as well, as ‘Cuse put together its best total defense season in a decade, before being bested a year later, finishing second in the ACC and 19th nationally after allowing just 330 yards per game.
In his first year coaching safeties and rovers in the 3-3-5, Monroe took a group that lost a pair of NFL DBs due to injury early in the season in 2020, turning to start three freshmen at the three spots. Ja’Had Carter became a Freshman All-American under his watch, finishing the year with 67 tackles and two interceptions. Rob Hanna also notched north of 50 tackles in his first season of college football.
In 2018, Syracuse’s defensive backfield was fifth nationally in interceptions (18). His unit was directly responsible for 11 picks, including an FBS-leading seven by freshman Cisco. The takeaways contributed to a 111-46 advantage in points off turnovers, as the Orange went 10-3 and won the 2018 Camping World Bowl. Cisco was voted the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and became the first true freshman in program history to earn All-America honors.
Cisco continued to flourish as a sophomore in 2019. He led the conference for the second year in row with five interceptions and ranked fourth nationally in interceptions per game (0.6). Cisco also tied for third in the ACC in passes defended per game (1.11) on his way to All-ACC Second Team honors. As a team, the Orange ranked fifth nationally in passes defended per game at 5.67 per contest. Â
In addition to his mentorship of Cisco, Monroe worked with Evan Foster from 2016-19. A three-year starter at strong safety, Foster concluded his career ninth among Syracuse defensive backs with 234 career tackles. Â
An injury to Cisco ended his 2020 season after two games but Monroe’s protege was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by Jacksonville. The Orange accumulated 11 interceptions in 11 contests.
Monroe served as the secondary coach at Bowling Green from 2010-15. He consistently produced units that ranked among the nation’s best and helped the Falcons to four straight bowl games and two Mid-American Conference (MAC) titles. Monroe’s guidance also helped turn Jude Adjei-Barimah into a contributor in the National Football League. A defensive back for Bowling Green from 2011-14, Adjei-Barimah played 23 games (eight starts) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015-16.
Monroe inherited an inexperienced unit at Bowling Green that featured four new starters. In two seasons, he molded them into one of the stingiest defensive backfields in the country. Featuring All-MAC performers BooBoo Gates and Cameron Truss, the 2012 Falcons ranked 13th nationally in passing defense (190.1 ypg) to help lift the team to an 8-5 record and an appearance in the Military Bowl.
The following season, the Bowling Green secondary was even better. The Falcons finished sixth in the FBS against the pass (170.9 ypg) and Gates earned All-MAC First Team honors for the second year in a row. As a team, Bowling Green won its first conference championship since 1992 and played Pittsburgh in the 2013 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
In 2014, his first season working for Dino Babers, Monroe successfully oversaw the maturation of safety Brian Sutton and the development of two young cornerbacks. Sutton’s production skyrocketed from the previous season as he jumped from 43 to 102 tackles. In addition, rookie cornerbacks Nick Johnson and Clint Stephens combined for nine interceptions. The unit also featured Adjei-Barimah, who recorded 82 tackles. The Falcons won the MAC East title and defeated South Alabama in the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
In 2015, Bowling Green posted a 10-4 record, won the MAC championship for the second time in three seasons, and earned a berth in the GoDaddy Bowl. Monroe’s defensive backfield finished eighth in the FBS with 20 interceptions, including a team-high six picks by cornerback Alfonso Mack.
Monroe coached defense for six years at Colgate University. He instructed the outside linebackers from 2004-05 and then shifted to secondary coach in 2006. In 2009, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator and helped implement a scheme that led the Patriot League and was 29th nationally in total defense (308.2 ypg) that year. Colgate was 9-2 and held seven of its opponents to 20 points or less. Monroe served as the team’s recruiting coordinator for five seasons.
In his last three years with the Raiders, Monroe mentored four first-team All-Patriot League selections (Uzi Idah, Wayne Moten, Chris Ekpo, Cody Williams) and one second-team honoree (Moten). In addition, defensive back Demitri Diamond was named the 2009 Patriot League Rookie of the Year.
Colgate won a pair of Patriot League titles (2005, 2008) while Monroe was on staff and made two Division I-AA (now FCS) playoff appearances.Â
Monroe was the secondary coach in 2002 and 2003 at Allegheny College. He helped the Gators capture the 2003 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship and earn a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Monroe was a four-year letterwinner at cornerback for St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. He earned his undergraduate degree in marketing from the school in 2001.
Nick and his wife, Nicole, have a son, Wyatt.
THE MONROE FILE
Experience: 22nd season/8th at Syracuse
Hometown:Â Mahtomedi, Minn.
Alma Mater:Â St. Cloud State '01
Family:Â wife, Nicole; son, Wyatt
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
St. Cloud State (1997-2001)
Â
| COACHING LEDGER | ||
| Years | School | Position |
| 2002-03 | Allegheny College | Secondary |
| 2004 | Colgate | Outside Linebackers |
| 2005 | Colgate | Outside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2006-08 | Colgate | Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2009 | Colgate | Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2010-15 | Bowling Green | Secondary |
| 2016-17 | Syracuse | Secondary |
| 2018-19 | Syracuse | Safeties/Nickelbacks |
| 2020-21 | Syracuse | Safeties/Rovers |
| 2022 | Syracuse | Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Safeties/Rovers |
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2003 Division III Playoffs (First Round)
2005 Division I-AA Playoffs (First Round)
2008 FCS Playoffs (First Round)
2012 Military Bowl
2013 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
2014 Camellia Bowl
2015 GoDaddy Bowl
2018 Camping World Bowl
2022 Pinstripe Bowl
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
Colgate
Demitri Diamond (2009 Patriot League Rookie of the Year)
Cody Williams (Hamilton Tiger-Cats - CFL)
Bowling Green
Jude Adjei-Barimah (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Fleet - AAF)
Syracuse
Andre Cisco (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Ifeatu Melifonwu (Detroit Lions)
Trill Williams (Miami Dolphins)
Fran Brown Press Conference | Week 3 vs. Colgate
Monday, September 08
Fran Brown Press Conference
Monday, September 08
Fran Brown Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, September 06
Players Postgame vs. UConn
Saturday, September 06
