Nick Eason is always moving. "I want people to see the Paw as much as possible," said Eason, Clemson's associate head coach.Related video above: Key tips to staying safe while exercising in the heatThat means eight to 10 schools per day while on the recruiting trail and maximum commitment for his players. Last year, Eason drew attention for participating in the team's demanding "mat drills.""When he came out there with the cleats, we were like, 'Yeah, he's gonna do two drills,'" recalled former Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro. "But he went through every single one with us. He not only talks the talk but he walks the walk. He set the example and showed us how to do it." "My guys, they're like my sons to me," said Eason. "They know that I love them. I tell them that every day."Family has always been a core value for the father of seven, dating back to his childhood in Lyons, Georgia. Eason's mother, Iris Wilcox, gave birth to Eason when she was 18 years old. Eason says his grandparents took on the task of raising Eason while Wilcox went to school."My grandmother made biscuits," Eason said. "I ate everything on the hog except for the sound that it made. I've had it all. A lot of wholesome food, a lot of carbs, a lot of sodium, a lot of seasoning. That was kind of my go-to when I wasn't feeling good about something."Eason developed into a football star at Toombs County High School and became a two-time team captain at Clemson before a productive 11-year NFL career eventually led him into coaching. He returned to his alma mater in 2022."To watch my players run down the hill, the same hill I ran down," Eason said. "I've got the best job in the world."Eason has plenty to be thankful for and plenty more he's overcome.In 2012, right before the start of Eason's final NFL season with the Arizona Cardinals, Wilcox died after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. In 2021, his grandmother, Betty Holland, Eason's self-described "rock," died.Eason turned to comfort foods for comfort. When he was hired at Clemson in January 2022, he weighed just shy of 400 pounds."I was consuming anywhere between 6,000 to 8,000 calories a day," Eason said. "On top of not working out at all. I just really felt alone. Coach Swinney has a saying, 'Best is the Standard,' and I was not at my best. I wanted to be an example for my players."Eason returned to a plant-based, vegan diet that had worked for him a few years prior and rededicated himself to exercise and a healthy lifestyle. By last spring, he'd dropped 60 pounds. This summer, he's down 100. To those who are struggling, Eason said, "My message to them: 'You can make it; don't be afraid to ask for help.'"The 44-year-old is taking his own advice and always moving forward."Life is still not perfect. There's still trials and tribulations, but it's all about how you handle it."
CLEMSON, S.C. — Nick Eason is always moving.
"I want people to see the Paw as much as possible," said Eason, Clemson's associate head coach.
Related video above: Key tips to staying safe while exercising in the heat
That means eight to 10 schools per day while on the recruiting trail and maximum commitment for his players. Last year, Eason drew attention for participating in the team's demanding "mat drills."
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
"When he came out there with the cleats, we were like, 'Yeah, he's gonna do two drills,'" recalled former Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro. "But he went through every single one with us. He not only talks the talk but he walks the walk. He set the example and showed us how to do it."
"My guys, they're like my sons to me," said Eason. "They know that I love them. I tell them that every day."
Family has always been a core value for the father of seven, dating back to his childhood in Lyons, Georgia. Eason's mother, Iris Wilcox, gave birth to Eason when she was 18 years old. Eason says his grandparents took on the task of raising Eason while Wilcox went to school.
"My grandmother made biscuits," Eason said. "I ate everything on the hog except for the sound that it made. I've had it all. A lot of wholesome food, a lot of carbs, a lot of sodium, a lot of seasoning. That was kind of my go-to when I wasn't feeling good about something."
Eason developed into a football star at Toombs County High School and became a two-time team captain at Clemson before a productive 11-year NFL career eventually led him into coaching. He returned to his alma mater in 2022.
"To watch my players run down the hill, the same hill I ran down," Eason said. "I've got the best job in the world."
Eason has plenty to be thankful for and plenty more he's overcome.
In 2012, right before the start of Eason's final NFL season with the Arizona Cardinals, Wilcox died after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. In 2021, his grandmother, Betty Holland, Eason's self-described "rock," died.
Eason turned to comfort foods for comfort. When he was hired at Clemson in January 2022, he weighed just shy of 400 pounds.
"I was consuming anywhere between 6,000 to 8,000 calories a day," Eason said. "On top of not working out at all. I just really felt alone. Coach Swinney has a saying, 'Best is the Standard,' and I was not at my best. I wanted to be an example for my players."
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Eason returned to a plant-based, vegan diet that had worked for him a few years prior and rededicated himself to exercise and a healthy lifestyle. By last spring, he'd dropped 60 pounds. This summer, he's down 100.
To those who are struggling, Eason said, "My message to them: 'You can make it; don't be afraid to ask for help.'"
The 44-year-old is taking his own advice and always moving forward.
"Life is still not perfect. There's still trials and tribulations, but it's all about how you handle it."
