Dave Nichol, who was hired in December as USC's inside receivers coach/associate head coach for offense, died Friday in McKinney, Texas, USC announced. He was 45 years old.
Nichol had been away from the team for an unspecified period of time, but it was only on Monday that the program made it public that he was dealing with an unspecified medical matter.
TrojanSports.com has learned that Nichol was battling cancer.
“We are heartbroken and devastated,” USC football head coach Lincoln Riley in a statement. “Dave was such a tremendous human being and a fantastic football coach.