RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines football program is pleased to announce that Nicolas Jean-Baptiste has made a return to Rapid City and will be serving the Hardrocker coaching staff as the new assistant defensive line coach for the 2017 season. Jean-Baptiste was a part of the Hardrocker football program during the 2015 campaign.
 
"I'm excited to rejoin the Hardrocker community and continue to be a positive impact on these young men on and off the field," said Jean-Baptiste. "I am grateful to Coach (Taylor) Breitzman (defensive coordinator) and Coach (Zach) Tinker (head coach) for presenting the opportunity to work on such a hardworking, family-oriented staff."
 
Jean-Baptiste has been at his alma mater, Baylor University (Texas), since January 2016 working as a defensive graduate assistant. Working with Baylor's defensive line, Jean-Baptiste coached a 2016 All-Big 12 defensive lineman in KJ Smith and the 2016 Cactus Bowl Defensive MVP in Tyrone Hunt.
 
"Coach Bap' is no stranger to the Hardrocker football community and we are lucky to have him back," Tinker said. "He honed his skills this past season in the Big 12 and he continues to impress with his knowledge of fundamental defensive line play. He knows the 'Rocker Dawg' system and will immediately impact our team on and off the field in a positive way."
 
Jean-Baptiste was an All-Big 12 honoree, an Alamo Bowl Champion, Honor Roll member, and team captain during his time playing at Baylor. After college, Jean-Baptiste signed with the Baltimore Ravens, spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns and played in the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers and Jacksonville Sharks (Fla.).
 
Jean-Baptiste received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Sports Management, both from Baylor.