Macalester College Men's Football

Phil Nicolaides became the head football coach at Macalester in March of 2022. Nicolaides joined the Scots after spending six years as the defensive coordinator at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. “Phil is a champion for his players and the student-athlete experience, while also setting a high standard for success on and off the field,” Macalester Director of Athletics Donnie Brooks said. “As one of the youngest coordinators and now head coaches in the country, his experiences and vision for a highly competitive program and successful student-athlete experience left the committee excited for what’s ahead for the Scots.” Nicolaides led a Yellow Jackets defense that ranked either first or second in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) in points allowed during all six of his seasons at Randolph-Macon. Their stout defense helped the Yellow Jackets claim three ODAC championships and compile a 48-11 record, which followed a 9-11 record the two years prior to Nicolaides’ arrival in Ashland. In 2018, Randolph-Macon upset John Carroll, ranked eighth nationally at the time, for the first NCAA Playoff victory in the program’s history. The Yellow Jackets finished the 2018 and 2021 seasons ranked in the Division III top 20. Along with leading the Yellow Jackets’ defense, Nicolaides was heavily involved in recruiting as well as coordinating multiple camps for prospects and youth players. He also worked with special teams, helping to develop schemes for each unit. Off the field, Nicolaides contributed to the overall development of the student-athletes, assisting with the academic guidance and lifestyle accountability for Randolph-Macon’s players. “I am extremely grateful to have been selected as the next head football coach at Macalester College,” Nicolaides said. “I would like to thank Director of Athletics Donnie Brooks and the search committee for this incredible opportunity to work with some of the most driven student-athletes in the country. As I met with faculty, staff, alumni, and players throughout the interview process, it became clear that Macalester is a very special place because of its incredible people and their common vision. My wife, Stephanie, and I are excited to immerse ourselves in the Macalester and St. Paul communities. I cannot wait to meet the team, build relationships, and begin preparing for the 2022 season.” Prior to coaching at Randolph-Macon, Nicolaides spent two seasons at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., as the defensive backs coach and video coordinator. He began his coaching career in 2013 as the linebackers/defensive backs coach at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., while also working at 360 Sports as an NFL recruiting and scouting intern. A native of Exton, Pa., Nicolaides attended Carnegie Mellon University, where he played linebacker and safety for the Tartans From 2009-12. He graduated in 2013 with degrees in business finance and psychology.  

Terrance Nicholson joined the Macalester football coaching staff as an assistant in the summer of 2023. He serves as the Scots cornerbacks coach.   Nicholson came to Macalester after graduating from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill., in May of 2023 after playing two seasons for the Fighting Saints football team. He registered 111 tackles and had three interceptions in 19 games while serving as team captain. In 2021, he helped lead St. Francis to the Mid-States Football Association conference championship. As a student at St. Francis, Nicholson worked in the athletic department as an Athletic Director Assistant. He also served as an interim assistant football coach during the 2023 spring season. Nicholson graduated with a degree in Values-Based Management. A native of Minneapolis, Minn., Nicholson attended Robbinsdale Cooper High School.

Kyle Artinian joined the Macalester football staff as Defensive Coordinator and defensive backs coach in the spring of 2023. He brought seven years of coaching experience from all three NCAA divisions, mainly on the defensive side of the ball, to the Scots. Artinian came to Macalester from Division II Northwood University in Midland, Mich., where he was the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator for the 2022 season. He also coached the defensive backs and was the video coordinator at Division III Cornell (Iowa) College in 2021. Prior to that, Artinian spent three years at Division I Eastern Michigan as a graduate assistant and quality control coach. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northwood for two years. Artinian was a member of the Michigan State football team as a defensive back during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. A 2015 Michigan State graduate, Artinian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwood and a Master of Sport Management degree from Eastern Michigan.  

Mahlon Slaughter joined the Macalester football coaching staff in the spring of 2025 as the inside linebackers coach and special teams co-coordinator. Slaughter came to St. Paul after speding two seasons as a graduate assistant at Division III Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa. While at Misericordia, Slaughter coached the linebackers and worked with both the punt and kickoff units. He also coordinated the Cougars’ efforts in the weight room, served as defensive coordinator for the junior varsity team and recruited in South Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Southern Maryland. Slaughter was a two-time All-conference performer and team captain at Division II Northwood University in Midland Mich., where he played under current Macalester defensive coordinator Kyle Artinian as a senior. He also spent one year at Division II Malone University in Canton, Ohio, where he started as a freshman. Slaughter graduated from Northwood in 2022 with a degree in business administration. He also earned an MBA from Misericordia in 2025.  

Noah Bresson returned to his alma mater in the spring of 2025 as an assistant coach. He works with the running backs and tight ends while also serving as the special teams co-coordinator. A linebacker for the Scots from 2020-24, Bresson earned All-MIAC honors as a senior after leading the team with 72 tackles and ranking ninth in the league with 7.2 tackles per game. He also paced Macalester in tackles as a sophomore and junior while receiving All-MIAC honorable mention in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In four seasons, Bresson totaled 260 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss and six sacks in 40 games for the Scots. Also an excellent student, Bresson was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society and made the Academic All-MIAC team twice. He graduated in the winter of 2024 after majoring in psychology. A native of Homosassa, Fla., Bresson received Florida 5A All-State honorable mention as a senior at Crystal River High School.