Nick Alaimalo begins his first season on Head Coach Jimmy Rogers’ staff, serving as the Cougars’ assistant wide receivers coach.
Alaimalo arrived in Pullman having spent the previous three seasons at Idaho State University, the last two working with the inside receivers. In 2024, Alaimalo helped a Bengal passing offense finish eight nationally in FCS at 298.4 ypg. In his first season at Idaho State, as running backs coach, he had 1,248 rushing yards between five different backs accounting for seven touchdowns and adding 339 receiving yards. Moving to slot receivers in 2023, Alaimalo tutored Chedon James to All Big Sky honors, leading the country in receptions and being a Walter Payton Award Finalist, the highest award in FCS football. Alaimalo also assisted with all aspects of special teams all three years.
After playing linebacker and running back at New Mexico Highlands, he moved into the coaching ranks at his alma mater assisting in running back development. In 2010, he joined Arizona State beginning his long-standing relationship with Dennis Erickson and helping the Sun Devils to a Las Vegas Bowl berth.
In 2012, he joined the Utah Utes working with a cornerback group that combined for 21 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles. As his time progressed at Utah, he began working with the return game and help produce a Pac 12 All-American. Coach Erickson joined the Utes in 2013 as Co-Offensive Coordinator and Coach Nick moved into a Graduate Assistant role to focus on running backs. Under Erickson’s offense, Utah had four running backs combine for 1,450 yards while also having a running back being the 2nd leading receiver with 37 catches. Two running backs were selected in the NFL draft.
As his time progressed at Utah, he began working with the return game and help produce a Pac 12 All-American. Coach Erickson joined the Utes in 2013 as Co-Offensive Coordinator and Coach Nick moved into a Graduate Assistant role to focus on running backs. Under Erickson’s offense, Utah had four running backs combine for 1,450 yards while also having a running back being the number two.
Alaimalo was selected for the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship and assigned to the Kansas City Chiefs, working directly with Assistant Head Coach, Eric Bieniemy, throughout training camp and preseason games.
After leaving the University of Utah, Coach Nick spent two seasons as Defensive Coordinator at Snow Junior College overseeing a defense that ranked #2 nationally, with the #1 run defense, along with holding opponents to 17 points a game. An opportunity to work in the pros came next, working under Coach Erickson with the Salt Lake Stallions of the now defunct Alliance of American Football. In the AAF, Coach Nick mentored two former NFL veterans and had the 3rd leading rusher in the league.
After the AAF, Alaimalo headed East to work at Robert Morris University, located outside of Pittsburg, PA, where he served as Run Game Coordinator and Special Teams Coordinator where he had 7 punts inside the 20-yard line, a punt return average of 12.4 yards along with a 18.5 kick return average. He also developed an All-Conference running back, two players in the top 10 in rushing in conference, and 7 touchdowns between six different running backs before joining the Bengals.
A former prep player at vaunted Long Beach Poly, Alaimalo is a native of Carson, Calif. He and his wife Joi have a daughter, Kaleah.
