Executive Director of Athletics, Scott Noble, has named Brenda Nichols to lead the Western New Mexico University Women’s Basketball program as their new head coach.
“After an extensive search, we are excited to announce our new head women’s basketball coach Brenda Nichols.” Said Executive Director of Athletics, Scott Noble. “Coach Nichols brings not only great basketball experience at several levels, but also building winning programs. She has a rich history in the state of Texas and is very familiar with the Lone Star Conference. We are all excited for Coach Nichols to begin her tenure here at WNMU and the upcoming women’s basketball season.
Nichols most recent coaching stops were Head Girls Basketball Coach at Huffman Hargrave High School and Bossier Parish Community College but is most known for her run as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Sam Houston State University from 2006-2018.
In her 12 years at Sam Houston, Nichols won the university’s first women’s Southland Conference championship and NCAA Division I post-season tournament appearances in the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) and Women’s National Invitational (WNIT). Nichols was awarded Southland Conference “Coach of the Year” honors in 2013.
Prior to Sam Houston Nichols, was head coach at Mercer University in Macon, Ga.; served as an assistant at South Alabama and Memphis and was head coach at Okaloosa-Walton Community College and Western Texas.
Nichols playing career included two years at Sam Houston, from 1987-89, where was the leading scorer for the 18-9 Sam Houston squad in 1988. Nichols also spent two years as an NJCAA All-American at Western Texas Junior College, where she holds the record for most points scored in a game at 44, which she accomplished twice. Her 17.8 career scoring average stands as the second-highest mark in Sam Houston women’s basketball history. In 2014 she was inducted to the Sam Houston Athletics Hall of Honor.
Nichols earned her undergraduate degree from Sam Houston in physical education in 1989, and her master’s at the University of West Florida in 1992. Nichols also earned her minor in art and is a published children’s book illustrator. The Jennings, LA., native has two sons, Brady, and Brock, daughter, Brelee, daughter-in-law, Kate (Brady) and grandson Mikey.
“I am honored and privileged to be named the next Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Western New Mexico University,” said Nichols of her hiring. “I would like to thank President Shepherd, Executive Director of Athletics, Scott Noble, and the entire athletic staff and community of Silver City, New Mexico for this opportunity. It’s a great privilege to be able to coach in the Lone Star Conference, which is one of the best NCAA Division II conferences in the country. I am fired up and ready to become part of the WNMU and Silver City community, Go Mustangs!”
“I’ve known Brenda for a long time, she brings a lot of positive qualities to the WNMU program. She’s a tireless worker, has great basketball knowledge. The student athletes will have a great experience, and she’s a tremendous person. I’m excited to watch her develop and grow the program. She’s a great a hire and the community will enjoy getting to know her.”
Coach Keitha Adams
Head WBB coach UTEP
