Nicholas Kernaghan has joined the Linfield football coaching staff and will oversee the linebackers position group, Wildcats coach Joseph Smith announced on Friday. Kernaghan replaces Phil Rombach, who accepted a high school head coaching position in Texas.
 
"I am extremely excited to be joining this program and this community," said Kernaghan. "During my time here, I look forward to continuing the level of success that this program has had over the years as well as learn from coaches that do things the right way. The Linfield culture speaks for itself and I am truly blessed to be given this opportunity."
 
A 2021 graduate of Southern Oregon University, Kernaghan spent the 2022 season as a defensive line coach at his alma mater. As a member of the coaching staff assigned to lead the defensive line, he was also responsible for film breakdown and data input, scout team organization, and recruited areas of Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington.
 
"We are very excited to have Nick join our staff. We conducted a national search trying to find the person that best fit the needs in the configuration of our staff.  Nick is exactly what we were looking for," said Smith. "Mr. Kernaghan brings great grit and intensity to our program. He has a solid background in strength and conditioning, he has a very strong work ethic, he pays close attention to detail, and he is of high character. I have no doubt that he will be a great addition to our staff. Nick is the type of coach that will help shape and mold the young men he is working with into men of character and men of action."
 
As a player at SOU, Kernaghan was elected team captain and chosen as 2021 Most Inspirational Player. He spent five seasons in a Raiders uniform and was a member of SOU's 2017 NAIA Frontier Conference championship team. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication.
 
"One of the things that mainly attracted me to Linfield is the history of Polynesian players that have come through this program," said the native of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. "Thanks to Coach Rombach, I have already been introduced to some of the Polynesian players that have recently played here and they welcomed me with that aloha spirit that I look forward to sharing with the rest of the Linfield community."
 
Kernaghan joins Neil Fendall as the newest additions to the Linfield coaching staff this winter. Fendall also coached at Southern Oregon during the 2022 season and recommended Kernaghan for the position.    
 
"We lost some extremely talented and impacting coaches with the departure of Phil Rombach and Aaron Boehme," said Smith. "It will take a combined group effort to replace the holes in our staff that we have. I am confident Coach Fendall and now Coach Kernaghan will bring their own unique personalities and talents to our staff, and together our staff will do all we can to continue to create a culture of success and excellence for our players to immerse themselves in and benefit from.  
 
"We look forward to getting to work and seeing just how much development we can bring about. Our goal is to earn the right to stand before the best in the country and be measured. That starts now. Roll 'Cats."
 
The 2023 season begins Sept. 2 in Burnaby, B.C., Canada, where the Wildcats will face Simon Fraser.