The Reclamation Initiative | The Coaching Career of Nico Augustine

[YaBoyRobRoy]

looking forward to this one CC!

[Captain Canada]

From Virginia to Arkansas, we move

Charlottesville will always have my heart after that run

looking forward to this one CC!

Appreciate you tagging along, brother

[Caesar]

It's about to be some heathenry in Jonesboro.

[Count]

[Captain Canada]

Arkansas State adds former Canadian USports coach Nico Augustine as new offensive coordinator
By Olivia Scott | Jonesboro Newsletter

Arkansas State University has announced that former Canadian head coaching legend Nico Augustine has been named the offensive coordinator of the football team, replacing Keith Heckendorf.

Head coach Butch Jones, entering his fifth year as the head coach of the Red Wolves, replaces Heckendorf, who headed the 85th best offense in the nation that led the team to an 8-5 record and a Bowl game win - their best results since 2019 and best under the Jones regime.

Heckendorf just completed his sixth season in Jonesboro by helping the Red Wolves to a 38-31 win over Bowling Green in the 68 Ventures Bowl. Since Coach Heckendorf’s arrival in Jonesboro, he has helped A-State’s offense put up impressive numbers and a pair of wide receivers in Omar Bayless and Jonathan Adams Jr. earned multiple All-America accolades.

Meanwhile, Augustine hails from Canada, having coached Western University out of London, Ontario during his 12-year tenure with the team. He won two Vanier Cup (national championship) titles (2017, 2021) with Western, along with six Provincial championships (2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023).

The winter after Augustine’s last provincial championship, where the team fell to the University of Montreal in the semi-finals, he was relieved of his duties amidst controversy surrounding pay-for-play allegations as well as misconduct. Details were never released to the public but the school’s administration stated that “though Coach Augustine had the full support of his football team, his misconduct was too much for the school to overlook.”

“Leaving the game of football the way I did, with my leg tucked between my legs, isn’t how I envisioned my legacy. Getting the opportunity to return to the game that I’ve loved since I was just a boy means more to me than I can express,” Augustine said in a press release released by Arkansas State. “I’m ready to guide these young men as best as I can. I expect their everything, because that’s what they will be getting from me.”

Coach Jones spoke highly of Augustine’s resume, and is excited to get him onto campus to start building the team. “Zoom and phone calls don’t do his football mind justice, I’m excited to get into a room with him, and get building.” When it came to the controversy that follows him, Jones isn’t phased.

“He made a bad choice years ago. He’s paid his debt, he’s learned from his mistakes. We’re moving forward.”

Prior to coaching at Western University, Augustine was an offensive coordinator with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts for four seasons, winning a Grey Cup (2012). He was a quarterback at Wilfred Laurier University for four seasons, winning two provincial championships (2004, 2005) as well as a Vanier Cup in 2005. He was invited to training camp with the CFL’s Hamilton Tigercats but was cut soon after.

[Chillcavern]

Starting as an OC once again

Let’s see how things go for you at Arky State!

[Captain Canada]

Starting as an OC once again

Let’s see how things go for you at Arky State!

If it ain't broke Appreciate having you along brudda.

[Captain Canada]

Nico Augustine Joins Arkansas State as Offensive Coordinator
By Olivia Scott | Jonesboro Newsletter

From Canada’s Western University to the Sun Belt, bringing a new spread flavor to the Red Wolves

Arkansas State has announced a high‑profile hire on offense: former Western University head coach Nico Augustine, who’ll take over as the Red Wolves’ offensive coordinator beginning this fall. Augustine is set to transition his Canadian‑style spread into the Sun Belt under new leadership at A‑State.

A Canadian Spread Adapted for FBS

Augustine’s offenses in Canada leaned heavily on wide splits, motion, option concepts, and lots of tempo — hallmarks of a true spread offense. He’ll bring that philosophy to Arkansas State, installing a system designed to stress defenses horizontally and vertically. The scheme emphasizes:

• Pre‑snap motion and misdirection to free playmakers

• A balanced attack built around shotgun quarterback reads

• Spread formations that create open lanes for both pass and run

As Augustine transitions his Canadian playbook, he’ll reshape A‑State’s offense into a more modern spread system — aligning well with the strategies used successfully at many mid‑major programs.

A Senior Quarterback Poised to Break Out: Jaylen Raynor

Junior quarterback Jaylen Raynor enters the season with proven credentials. After a Sun Belt Freshman of the Year campaign in 2023 and a strong sophomore season in 2024 — completing 61.7% of his passes for nearly 2,800 yards and also contributing as a runner (137 carries, 387 yards) — Raynor is ready to take another leap forward.

Under Augustine’s spread system, Raynor should thrive. The junior signal-caller’s dual-threat ability pairs naturally with the pace and read-oriented structure Augustine prefers. He’ll layer Augustine’s motion‑tempo attacks and zone‑reads to maximize his decision-making and athleticism.

Elevating a Proven Target: Corey Rucker

One of Raynor’s favorite targets is Corey Rucker, the Red Wolves’ top receiver and all-time leader in receiving yards (over 3,000 career yards) and a standout performer in 2024 with over 1,050 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. In games like the dominant win over Troy, Rucker put up 12 catches for 193 yards — showcasing his ability to stretch the field and produce in big moments.

Augustine’s offense is tailor-made for someone like Rucker: lots of space, pre‑snap shifts, and quick-hitting routes mixed with deep shots. Expect him to see even more favorable matchups, with Raynor using pre-stress concepts and Rucker exploiting open zones — the duo should form a central pillar of the new spread system.

Why This Hire Matters

For Arkansas State, bringing in Augustine represents a significant shift:

• Offensive philosophy upgrade: moving toward a tempo-based, high-variance spread offense tailored to playmakers

• Experienced signal-caller: Raynor’s leadership and improving accuracy make him an ideal fit

• Elite receiver chemistry: Raynor and Rucker already have rapport, now supported by spacing and motion concepts to amplify it

Now Augustine’s task is translating his Canadian-zone motion roots into Sun Belt football. If successful, Raynor could emerge as one of the nation’s elite quarterbacks, with Rucker rising even further in the national conversation among receivers.

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Bottom line:

With Nico Augustine in charge of A‑State’s offense, the Red Wolves are reshaping their attack into a true spread unit built for tempo, space, and playmakers. Junior QB Jaylen Raynor — already a top-level dual threat — should flourish in the system. And with star receiver Corey Rucker as the centerpiece of the passing game, Arkansas State fans have every reason to be excited about the coming season.[/font]

[Captain Canada]

2025 Arkansas State Red Wolves Preview, Coaching Staff, Schedule
By Olivia Scott | Jonesboro Newsletter

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TEAM PREVIEW
Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones led the Red Wolves to their most wins since 2019 and made a bowl game for the second year in a row last season, earning himself a contract extension that should keep him in Jonesboro until 2029.

The Red Wolves went 8-5 last season, securing what was also their first winning season since 2019. They beat Bowling Green in the 68 Ventures Bowl, and finished No. 3 in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division. Their win total has improved every year since Jones took over in 2021.

With one of the Sun Belt’s most experienced and productive quarterbacks throwing to a deep group of receivers, Arkansas State is hoping to ride a high-powered offense to another bowl game, and maybe even a shot at the conference title.

A lot of new faces on defense will have to come together quickly, but Arkansas State’s offense has the potential to be one of the most improved units in the Sun Belt this season.

There’s no quarterback controversy in Jonesboro. Jaylen Raynor is back for his third season as the starter, and he’s ready to build on a career year.

Raynor posted a career-high 2,783 passing yards and threw 16 touchdowns last season. He made his first career start four games into the 2023 season, finished with 2,543 yards and 17 touchdown passes and was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year.

He isn’t the biggest guy – checking in at 6-foot and 201 pounds – but Raynor is a dual-threat quarterback. He has run for 767 yards and eight touchdowns the past two seasons.

Redshirt senior Corey Rucker is already one of the most prolific wide receivers in Arkansas State history. He enters the season with the most career receiving yards (3,037) in program history and ranks No. 2 in career touchdown catches (23) and career receptions (180).

Rucker has been the Red Wolves leading receiver in each of the past three seasons, and he posted career highs last fall in receptions (69) and receiving yards (1,053). He also led the team with seven touchdown catches last fall.

He’ll be joined this year by a pair of transfers in JJ Harrell (Mississippi State) and Nana Burris (Stetson/FIU). Harrell, a redshirt freshman, was a consensus four-star recruit coming out of high school. Burris, a fifth-year senior, enters the season with 1,499 career receiving yards and nine touchdown catches.

Running back Ja’Quez Cross should also play a big role in the passing game again this year. He caught 35 passes for 228 yards and was the team’s second-leading rusher with 638 yards last season.

Safety Trevion Thomas racked up 79 tackles and a team-high five interceptions last season, but he’s one of many defensive starters the Red Wolves have to replace this year.

The coaches turned to the transfer portal to fill a lot of those holes. Most of the team’s 21 transfers play on defense, including six in the secondary.
That group is led by former Utah State cornerback Avante Dickerson, who played in 20 games for the Aggies the past two seasons. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and began his college career at Oregon.

Arkansas State also added former Marshall safety AG Mghee, who started all 13 games for the Thundering Herd last year and finished with 54 tackles. Michigan State transfer Aaron Alexander should step in as one of the team’s top linebackers. The defensive front is led by defensive end Bryan Whitehead, who earned all-conference honors last season after leading the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Raynor, Rucker, and the Red Wolves are going to be hard to stop in the passing game, and Cross showed his versatility last year. If the offensive line and defense can step up, the Red Wolves could give Texas State a run for its money in the Sun Belt West.

The Sun Belt is a tough conference to make it through unscathed, but Arkansas State doesn’t play James Madison, and I think it has a chance to go 3-1 in non-conference play, including a potential upset of in-state foe Arkansas. The rest of the Red Wolves’ non-conference schedule includes Iowa State, Kennesaw State, and Southeast Missouri.

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COACHING STAFF

Butch Jones | Head Coach - Over his 15 seasons as a head coach, his teams have combined to win four conference championships, play in 10 bowl games and finished ranked in the AP Top 25 six times. Under his leadership, A-State has made back-to-back bowl-game appearances, winning the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl.

Nico Augustine | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks - Augustine hails from Canada, having coached Western University out of London, Ontario during his 12-year tenure with the team. He won two Vanier Cup (national championship) titles (2017, 2021) with Western, along with six Provincial championships (2013, 2017, 2018, 2021-2023).

Griff McCarley | Defensive Coordinator - Enters his first season as the defensive coordinator after being promoted from being the linebackers coach last season. He is the youngest FBS defensive coordinator. He was the inside linebackers analyst at Ole Miss in 2023.

Nick Grimes | Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator - Enters his third season on staff at Arkansas State, first in his role as offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Since his arrival, A-State’s run game has doubled its production.

Kwame Aguyei | Wide Receivers - Brought over with incoming offensive coordinator Nico Augustine, Aguyei served as the wide receivers’ coach at Western University in Canada after breaking the team’s all-time receiving records. He will be joining in the same role at A-State as the only coach Augustine is adding to the incumbent staff.

Marquase Lovings | Running Backs - Was previously the associate head coach with HC Jones, but has had his role adjusted to just the running backs. In his 18 seasons of collegiate coaching, Lovings has coached in nine bowl games winning seven, and additionally been to the FCS Playoffs in two seasons.

Alex Jones | Tight Ends - Jones is in his fifth season on staff at A-State, spending the last four years in an offensive quality control role. He was previously an offensive assistant at Alabama (2018-20).

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2025 TEAM SCHEDULE

Week	Opponent	Result	Record
0	OFF	--	--
1	vs Southeast Missouri	--	--
2	at Arkansas	--	--
3	vs #18 Iowa State	--	--
4	at Kennesaw State	--	--
5	at UL Monroe	--	--
6	vs Texas State	--	--
7	OFF	--	--
8	at South Alabama	--	--
9	vs Georgia Southern	--	--
10	at Troy	--	--
11	vs Southern Mississippi	--	--
12	OFF	--	--
13	vs Louisiana	--	--
14	at Appalachian State	--	--

[djp73]

Interested to see how this goes for you. Assuming you will be super simming defense?