John Niblett graduated from Tarrant High School and Jacksonville State. While in college, he played football from 1965-68 for the Gamecocks.

In a storied coaching career, Niblett won AISA State Championships at South Montgomery Academy (1979), Demopolis Academy (1990) and Glenwood Academy (1991 & 1992).

Niblett took over the program at Demopolis Academy in 1989 after a 1-9 finish the previous year. His first team lost in the finals before winning the AISA football title the next season.

His teams have won a state basketball title, two baseball titles and a girls softball title as well. Coach Niblett was inducted into the Alabama Independent School Associations Hall of Fame in 2000.

Coach Nibletts overall record is 176-145-2 in 29 seasons as a head football coach. His teams were 16-11 in the playoffs. He was the head coach at no less than ten different schools during his career in Alabama.

His two sons, Tad and Josh have followed in their fathers footsteps. Tad has been the head football coach at several schools around the state and Josh is the current head coach at perennial power Hoover High School.