Nick Brickens, the newly appointed head coach of the Cascade High School football program, steps onto the field with a résumé that reads like a championship playbook.
Having captured a state title as a quarterback at New Palestine, Brickens later contributed to two more championships as an assistant before guiding Saint Francis University to back‑to‑back NAIA national titles as a player.
His arrival follows a period of unprecedented success for Cascade, where former coach Connor Simmons steered the team to a flawless 15‑0 season and a Class 3A state championship last year.
A New Era Begins
Simmons’ departure has left large shoes to fill, but Brickens is clear about his mission: to preserve the program’s winning culture while adapting to the school’s recent enrollment‑driven shift to Class 2A.
The roster will lose several key seniors to graduation, yet a core of talented returners remains, giving Brickens a foundation on which to build.
Community members, who have long celebrated the school’s tradition of producing standout coaches, are eager to see how the new leadership will blend that heritage with fresh ideas.
Brickens brings not only a winning mindset but also a deep understanding of the local football landscape, having coached at New Palestine and witnessed the rise of rival programs such as Perry Meridian, Ben Davis and Warren Central.
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will be on integrating experienced returnees with promising newcomers, all while maintaining the high standards set by recent history.