"It’s been a blast": Former NFL star Hardy Nickerson on how he and his son have resurged California High School Football Program 

Hardy Nickerson, a legendary NFL linebacker known for his leadership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the late 1990s, made an incredible return to high school football in 2022. He took charge of Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland for his second stint as coach following an eight-year coaching career in the NFL.

One of the most exciting aspects of Nickerson’s return was the addition of his son, Hardy Nickerson Jr., to the coaching staff. A former standout at the University of California, Berkeley, and an NFL player in his own right, Nickerson Jr. immediately assumed the role of the Dragons' defensive coordinator. Coaching with his son has been a highlight for Nickerson Sr.

“It’s been a blast,” Nickerson told SI. “We definitely think alike.”

Nickerson Sr. admitted that there was an adjustment period, as he sometimes felt the urge to step in and direct things. But eventually, he trusted Nickerson Jr. to manage the defense with expertise and confidence.

As a player, Nickerson Sr. was a five-time Pro Bowler and earned two first-team All-Pro honors during seven seasons with the Buccaneers. But his success as a coach is beginning to emerge at Bishop O’Dowd.

After a combined 10-11 record over the past two seasons, the Dragons are looking to rebound under Nickerson’s leadership. A notable victory was their recent 24-20 win over heavily favored Monte Vista-Danville last week.

“It was so much fun, especially for the kids,” Nickerson said. “The work ethic they’ve shown to get to this point is unbelievable and the execution they showed Friday was just ridiculous.”

Earlier in the season, the Dragons opened with a 51-13 win over Tamalpais-Mill Valley and avenged last year’s season-opening loss.

However, the team’s ultimate goal remains high, especially given the success it experienced under former coach Napoleon Kaufman, who brought the school's only state 5-AA championship.

The Kaufman era saw a resurgence that mirrored the Paul Perenon era, when the Dragons secured three North Coast Section titles. But Nickerson remains optimistic to build his own legacy.

“We’ve definitely built some good momentum,” Nickerson added. “Now we have to keep this ball rolling.”

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Hardy Nickerson has long-term goals for his players

Hardy Nickerson surpassed 120 tackles in five of his seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his impact was more than just stats. As the late Mark Cook wrote in 2021, Nickerson brought a winning mentality to Tampa Bay by helping turn around a struggling team.

Nickerson is now instilling that same mindset in his young athletes. Besides focusing on developing strong football players, he's also shaping them into responsible young men.

"We want our kids, our football players to be the best students on campus," Nickerson told KTVU.

Hardy Nickerson and his Dragons will be facing tough competition, with an upcoming matchup on Sept. 20 against perennial powerhouse Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa, where they will look to continue its momentum.