Vickie Nichols begins her second year as head coach of the Bulldogs after a 14-19 season a year ago. Nichols led Samford back to the TAAC Tournament after the Bulldogs had missed the tournament the year prior to her arrival at Samford.
The 35-year-old Nichols came to Samford after a six-year stint at Northwest Shoals (Ala.) Community College, where she served as assistant volleyball coach. During her tenure at NSCC, she helped start the first volleyball team in 1992. In her six seasons, Northwest Shoals put together a 194-76 record won the State championship twice and finished runner-up three times, finishing as high as 14th in the nation in 1993. While at NSCC, Nichols coached one All-American and nine All-Region players. She also served for two seasons as the head softball coach.
She began her head coaching career in 1988, serving as the head volleyball and basketball coach at Hazelwood High School
Nichols was a three-year letter-winner at Mississippi State University where she finished her career as the all-time leader in services aces (167) and was twice named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Nichols was chosen to participate with Athletes in Action on a summer tour of South America.
She earned her bachelor's degree in physical education from MSU in 1987 and earned a Master's degree from the University of North Alabama in 1994.
Nichols is married to Christopher Nichols, of LaGrange, Ga., and they are the parents of four children, Kelsey (10), Kirby (8), Kyndal (5) and two-year old Kole.
