Shane Nichols enters his fourth season as the assistant coach for the Radford men’s basketball program, a position he took over in April 2021.
PRIOR TO RADFORD
Before returning to his hometown, Nichols helped build Murray State into one of the premier mid-major programs in the nation as an assistant coach over the course of six seasons. He played an instrumental role in a historic stretch for the Racers that included three consecutive Ohio Valley Conference regular season championships (2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20) and two straight OVC Tournament titles (2017-18 and 2018-19).
Murray State’s 2018-19 season featured 28 wins, marking the 10th time in 94 seasons that the Racers have reached the 25-plus win plateau. On its historic run, MSU earned its 26th OVC regular season championship and made its 17th trip to the NCAA National Tournament. The Racers earned a No. 12 seed in the Big Dance in 2018-19 and went on to defeat No. 5 Marquette, 83-64, in the 2019 Tournament behind the ninth triple-double in NCAA Tournament history by Ja Morant. It proved to be the next step for the squad after posting a 26-6 record overall and capturing the OVC title in 2017-18.
The run of success was due in part to rising star and current NBA superstar Ja Morant, whom Nichols recruited and coached throughout his collegiate career at Murray State. On top of OVC consensus All-American selections by Morant, Nichols also coached the OVC Player of the Year and Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention Jonathan Stark and OVC Defensive Player of the Year Shaq Buchanan. He also provided guidance to All-OVC selections in Tevin Brown and JK Williams.
“I appreciate Coach Nichols for everything he has done for me,” 2020 NBA Rooke of the Year Morant said. “He always kept it real and held me accountable. He played a big part in my progression and was one of the reasons I made that big jump my sophomore season. He is one of a kind and I know any player would love to have him as a coach.”
Prior to Murray State, Nichols served as an assistant coach at Hofstra University under head coach Joe Mihalich for two seasons, which included a 20-win campaign during 2014-15. He also assisted Mihalich during 2012-13 at Niagara University.
Nichols began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Wofford College, as he helped the Terriers punch their ticket to the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
COLLEGE PLAYING CAREER (WOFFORD COLLEGE)
Nichols was a three-year starter for Wofford University, where he scored 1,482 career points and was a multi-time All-Southern Conference honoree.
As a senior in 2007-08, Nichols led the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game. His most memorable shot that season was a game-winning layup with just two seconds left to knock off Purdue.
For his career, Nichols ranks 27th all-time in school history in scoring at Wofford. He is also in the top five all-time in career three pointers made, three pointers attempted and three-point field goal percentage.
Nichols spent one season at St. Peter’s before joining the Terriers in time for the 2004-05 campaign. He went on to start in 76 games for the Terriers, with 82 games played overall.
PROFESSIONAL PLAYING CAREER
Following his graduation from Wofford, Nichols played professionally overseas with the Orthodox Beit Jala squad in Israel for the 2009 season. There he was a three-point contest champion and even garnered votes for the league’s Most Valuable Player of the Year award.
PERSONAL
Prior to his college playing days, Nichols was a standout at local Radford High School where he scored 1,903 career points as a Bobcat. He was a two-time All-Timesland First Team selection as well as a two-time All-Group A First Team honoree. He was inducted into the Radford High School Hall of Fame, along with his brother and current Highlander head coach Darrius Nichols, in 2021.
Nichols earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology after he graduated from Wofford in 2008.
COACHING TIMELINE
- Radford University Assistant Coach (2021-Present)
- Murray State University Assistant Coach (2015-21)
- Hofstra University Assistant Coach (2013-15)
- Niagara University Assistant Coach (2012-13)
- Wofford College Assistant Coach (2010-12)
