SOUTHFIELD--Dave Nichols has been named the head coach of the Lawrence Tech women's volleyball team. That formal announcement was made by LTU Athletics Director Mary Ann Meltzer.
"I would like to thank the hiring committee for their faith in me in assuming the head coach position for LTU. I am fortunate to be working with not only talented and motivated student-athletes, but also with a talented and welcoming athletic department" stated Nichols. "I believe in creating a family feel with student athletes and staff and I have found both here at LTU. I am excited about the future of LTU Women's Volleyball. Coach (Ed) Ruhl has left me with an excellent roster and I am looking forward to continued improvement with these dedicated student-athletes."
Meltzer added: "We are excited to announce Dave Nichols as our Head Women's Volleyball Coach. With an incredible background and a proven track record of success, Coach Nichols brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our program. Not only has he achieved remarkable success in developing winning teams, but his dedication to fostering individual growth and sportsmanship aligns perfectly with our values."
Nichols came to the LTU staff, as an assistant coach after having made several stops at the NCAA Division I and II level as both an assistant and head coach.
He was the head women's volleyball coach at D-I Florida Gulf Coast University (2008-13) for six seasons, when he led the Eagles to a 99-82 mark which included five Atlantic Sun Conference tournament appearances and two A-Sun regular-season championships.
Before FGCU, Nichols spent 12 seasons as the head coach at Barry University--one of the premier programs in Division II. There, he guided Barry to two national championships and a national runner-up finish. His Barry squads won three Sunshine State Conference (SSC) titles and earned 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament in 12 years in Miami Shores. Nichols was named the National Coach of the Year in 2001 after steering Barry to the national championship with a 32-2 overall record.
While leading the BU Buccaneers program, Nichols coached 13 American Volleyball Coaches' Association All-Americans, five Volleyball Monthly All-Americans, four Daktronics All-Americans and three College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans. He also helped develop 29 AVCA All-Region selections and 40 All-SSC selections as well. Nichols was named SSC Coach of the Year three times (2001, 2003, 2004) as well as the AVCA South Region Coach of the Year in 1997, 2001 and 2004.
Before Barry, Nichols was a D-I assistant at Arizona State where he helped lead the Sun Devils to their most successful season in program history finishing the year ranked No. 10 in the nation. He was also an assistant at California from 1988-92, helping the Golden Bears to the postseason on three occasions.
Nichols, a native of Southern California, grew up playing volleyball on the beach with the likes of Ron Von Hagen, Greg Lee and Wilt Chamberlain. He graduated from UCLA in 1976 after helping the Bruins win three national championships. He enjoyed a successful professional playing career before beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater.
Nichols served as the Blue Devils' interim head coach for the final eight matches (including a 3-1 start) after Ruhl left the University.
(TRANSACTION: Lawrence Tech--Dave Nichols promoted to women's volleyball head coach.)
