EJ Nichols trades cleats for a clipboard

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST

By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor For athletes at Framingham State, the Athletic Department holds a special place in their hearts. Being a Ram and playing for a team allows students to form a close bond with their teammates. For most, graduation marks the end of an era, with the ceremony symbolizing a closing chapter for the athletes who will never again return to the court, track, rink, or field. There are, however, a few who decide to return in a different capacity. Elijah Nichols, known by most as EJ, graduated in the spring of 2025, ending his football career at FSU with a 3-7 record for his final season. Nichols said a record like that was “unheard of” for the Rams. An invitation from Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Thomas Kelley brought Nichols back to the field as a Wide Receiver Coach. He said, “As a player on the team, there are some things you just cannot change or control. I figured as [a coach], I could get through to some of the players and staff - being the middle man - so we all could be on the same page and get Framingham back to where it once was.” Kelley said he’s been very pleased with Nichols’ contributions to the coaching staff. He said, “I’ve known EJ a long time. … Watching him develop from a player into a professional in the business has been neat to watch.” Kelley acknowledged that one of Nichols’ strengths was his versatility and ability to put others before himself. “Twice we moved him from wide receiver to quarterback during the season. It’s selfless for an athlete to do that for the betterment of the team - it says a lot about your character,” Kelley said. He said, “He puts the players ahead of himself. His goal is to make them better players, which makes us a better team. We’re in the second stage of a rebuilding process, and he's been a big, big part of our success this year.” Junior wide receivers Alex Maia and Ayden Ramirez said they’ve enjoyed having Nichols as a coach. Maia said, “He was one of the first guys I met when I came to play for Framingham. … Having that bond already set in stone makes me feel comfortable to address anything with him.” Ramirez said, “He has always been a good role model and leader. “Him having played before makes it a great fit. He knows the work it takes to win a championship and holds us accountable,” he added. Kelley agreed Nichols’ experience with the team helped to prepare him to take on this new role, especially his time as a captain. Kelley said, “Captains have a little more interaction with the coaching staff because we ask those guys to do more than a normal player would do. “It’s a respected position by the team as well as the coaching staff,” he added. Maia said that as a former player, Nichols is in a unique position to share his wisdom of the Framingham culture with the young players who are just joining the team. Ramirez said, “He relates to all of us because he was in our exact position not too long ago. He is always willing to vouch for us and go that extra step to see us succeed.” Nichols said the transition from player to coach has been smooth and “having personal relationships with the players, they understand that I lead with love and respect first, so it always comes from a good place.” Nichols said what he likes most about playing for the Rams was “the feeling of being hunted. “Everyone in the MASCAC used to hate us because we were dominating. That feeling of knowing you have to work hard because other teams want to dethrone you made showing up to practice and meetings that much more meaningful,” he added. He said he loved celebrating with the team after a win, knowing the bus ride back from away games would be filled with the sounds of feverish excitement. Since graduating, Nichols has been “quite the busy man,” having taken on multiple jobs and internships in a variety of fields. He has put his sociology degree to good use, interning at Child and Family Services over the summer as well as taking a position at Stevens Residential Program to work with kids. In addition, he has also joined the team at Cutco Cutlery as a sales representative, proving his worth and securing not only a promotion for his hard work, but an invitation to the company conference in Pennsylvania. Despite his busy schedule, Nichols still comes to each practice with a positive attitude and a passion for football. Nichols said he hopes he can use this year to instill good winning habits in his players. He added, “I want the players to feel like they have a safe space to talk about life or vent about what they might be going through. I really want to win a championship and add some more jewelry to my two-ring collection!”