Coach Nico Rogers enters his fifth season on the Virginia Union University defensive staff in 2026, continuing his roles as Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Special Teams Coordinator while transitioning from coaching the safeties to primarily working with the Panthers’ strong safeties/nickelbacks.
Rogers has played an important role in Virginia Union’s rise as one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II football. During his tenure, the Panthers have made four consecutive NCAA Division II Playoff appearances and continued to compete annually for CIAA championships.
In 2025, Rogers’ secondary continued to produce at a high level, with three safeties recording at least two interceptions and the group combining for seven interceptions. His work in the secondary contributed to a Virginia Union defense that established itself among the best units in the CIAA and NCAA Division II.
The 2024 season was another historic campaign as Virginia Union captured its second consecutive CIAA Championship and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Rogers helped develop a defensive back who earned CIAA All-Rookie honors. Following the season, Head Coach Alvin Parker elevated Rogers to Assistant Special Teams Coordinator while he retained his responsibilities as Recruiting Coordinator and Secondary Coach.
In 2023, Rogers helped guide a Panthers defense that finished first in the CIAA in rushing defense, tied for first in interceptions, fifth in scoring defense, and third in total defense. His defensive backs unit also produced a CIAA All-Rookie selection. Prior to that season, Rogers was promoted to Recruiting Coordinator and given increased responsibility within the secondary.
Rogers joined Virginia Union in 2022 as Safeties Coach and Assistant Defensive Backs Coach. In his first season, the Panthers ranked second in the CIAA in total defense and first in rushing defense while finishing 19th nationally in NCAA Division II. He developed true freshman Donald Gatling, who earned CIAA All-Rookie honors, and mentored graduate RJ Roundtree, who later signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Prior to Virginia Union, Rogers served as Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at the Apprentice School in 2021, helping assemble the largest recruiting class in program history. He previously coached outside linebackers at Christopher Newport University, where he mentored Sean Wilkinson to All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition, and served as Linebackers Coach at Lincoln University (Pa.).
Rogers also spent several seasons at Virginia State University, where he was part of the Trojans’ 2017 CIAA Championship staff. As the linebackers coach, he developed Brandon Lynch into an All-CIAA Second Team selection, while Malik Sexton and Michael Harris earned All-CIAA Honorable Mention recognition. His earlier roles at VSU included Assistant Linebackers Coach and Defensive Line Student Assistant.
As a student-athlete, Rogers competed at Norfolk State University, Grossmont College, and Virginia State University, playing both safety and linebacker.
Rogers earned his Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Virginia State University. His experience as a player, position coach, defensive coordinator, and recruiting coordinator continues to make him an important part of Virginia Union’s recruiting, defensive development, and championship culture.
