Nick Paremski | Utah State University

Nick Paremski (Puh-rem-ski), who has 19 years of collegiate coaching experience, including four seasons as a defensive coordinator and another four years as a special teams coordinator, is in his third season as Utah State’s special teams coordinator. Paremski also coached USU’s outside linebackers in 2021 and 2022. 

In all, Paremski has coached in six bowl games and has been a part of six conference championship teams.

During the 2022 campaign, Paremski helped Utah State to six wins and its 10th bowl game in the past 12 seasons, including its second straight, as it appeared in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. 

In 2022, Utah State’s special teams finished the year ranked 16th in the nation based on The Fremeau Efficiency Index (FEI), as the Aggies blocked four kicks, with three punts and one extra point, to rank 10th in the nation. USU also ranked second in the MW and 33rd in the nation in punt return defense, allowing 5.4 yards per return, and was also third in the MW in both punt returns (8.9 ypr) and net punting (38.9 ypp). 

Paremski also coached a pair of specialists to MW Player of the Week honors during the 2022 season in placekicker Connor Coles and punter Stephen Kotsanlee. Kotstanlee finished the year fourth in the MW and 38th in the nation with an average of 43.2 yards per punt, which ranks as the sixth-best average in school history. 

In 2021, Utah State had its best season in school history as it tied the school record with 11 wins (11-3), won its first-ever Mountain West Championship with a 46-13 victory at No. 19 San Diego State, posted a 24-13 win against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl and finished the season ranked 24th in the nation in both polls. 

Utah State’s defense held each of its final three opponents to 13 or fewer points, doing so for the first time since 1983, and five of its last six opponents to 17 or fewer points. 

Utah State’s defense finished tied for second in the nation with 114.0 tackles for loss, which is also tied for the second-most in school history. And, USU limited its opponents to just 22 touchdowns on 51 trips into the red zone (.431), which ranked 10th nationally.

Paremski coached kickoff returner Savon Scarver, who had one kickoff return for touchdown in 2021 to tie the NCAA record with seven career kickoff returns for scores. Scarver was named second-team all-MW.

Utah State’s special teams shined in the MW Championship game, setting a school record with two blocked punts. Furthermore, USU’s finished the season 24th in the nation in punt return defense (4.3 ypr).

Prior to Utah State, Paremski spent five seasons (2016-20) at Arkansas State, including serving as the interim defensive coordinator in 2020. During his time with the Red Wolves, he spent two seasons as the special teams co-coordinator and safeties coach (2019-20), one season as the outside linebackers coach (2018) and two seasons as a quality control assistant (2016-17).

At Arkansas State, Paremski helped the Red Wolves to four straight bowl games (2016-19) and the 2016 Sun Belt Conference Championship. As the interim defensive coordinator in 2020, Paremski mentored a pair of all-Sun Belt performers in linebacker Justin Rice (first team) and defensive lineman Forrest Merrill (second team). Rice led the nation with 18.5 tackles for loss. 

In 2019, Paremski coached a pair of all-conference safeties in Darreon Jackson and BJ Edmonds. The duo helped A-State force 19 turnovers to rank second in the Sun Belt. In all, the Red Wolves recorded 12 interceptions to rank second in the conference and 31st in the nation.

With Paremski also working as special teams co-coordinator, A-State kicker Blake Grupe and punter Cody Grace were both named first-team all-Sun Belt Conference in 2019. 

In 2020, Arkansas State ranked 12th in the nation in kickoff return defense (17.03 ypr).

In 2018, Paremski was part of A-State’s staff that helped the Red Wolves limit four of their final five opponents to less than 300 yards of total offense. A-State also surrendered no more than 17 points in each of its final five outings. Along the way, the squad had seven defensive players earn all-conference honors.

Paremski also served as a quality control assistant for Arkansas State during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In 2016, ASU won the Sun Belt championship and defeated UCF in the Cure Bowl.

Prior to Arkansas State, Paremski spent 10 years at West Texas A&M from 2006-15, including the last three as defensive coordinator. 

During his time with the Buffaloes, he helped lead the program to Lone Star Conference (LSC) championships in 2006, 2007 and 2012. The 2012 squad was also Super Region 4 champions and a national semifinalist.

Paremski coached 12 NFL or CFL players at West Texas A&M, while also mentoring 20 first-team all-LSC selections and three LSC Defensive Backs of the Year. Paremski also coached one LSC Linebacker of the Year and two LSC Freshmen of the Year.

Prior to West Texas A&M, Paremski served as a graduate assistant coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville from 2004-05. The 2004 season saw the Javelinas win the Lone Star title and secure an NCAA Division II playoff berth.

Paremski earned his master’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2006, and he also holds his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Paremski and his wife, Krista, are the parents of one son, Huston, and one daughter, Alani.

NICK PAREMSKI FILE

Coaching History                                                                                                                           

2023-               Utah State – Special Teams Coordinator

2021-22           Utah State – Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers

2020                Arkansas State – Interim Defensive Coordinator

2019-20           Arkansas State – Special Teams Co-Coordinator/Safeties

2018                Arkansas State – Outside Linebackers

2016-17           Arkansas State – Quality Control Assistant

2013-15           West Texas A&M – Defensive Coordinator 

2008-12           West Texas A&M – Asst. Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Backs

2007                West Texas A&M – Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Backs

2006                West Texas A&M – Cornerbacks

2004-05           Texas A&M-Kingsville – Graduate Assistant

2002-03           Holmen (Wis.) HS – Defensive Backs

 

Bowl Games (6)                                                                                                         

Utah State (2): 2022 SERVPRO First Responder; 2021 LA Bowl;

Arkansas State (4): 2019 Camellia Bowl; 2018 Arizona Bowl; 2017 Camellia Bowl; 2016 Cure Bowl

 

Conference Championships (6)                                                                                                               

Utah State (1) – Mountain West, 2021

Arkansas State (1) – Sun Belt Conference, 2016

West Texas A&M (3) – Lone Star Conference, 2012, 2007, 2006

Texas A&M-Kingsville (1) – Lone Star Conference, 2004

 

Education                                                                                                                                                

2006    Texas A&M-Kingsville – Master of Business Administration  

2003    Wisconsin-La Crosse – Business Administration

 

Family                                                                                                                                                     

Wife – Krista; Son – Huston; Daughter – Alani