Story Courtesy: Ava Young, WIU Athletics
Western Illinois women’s basketball head coach has announced the addition of former Leatherneck standout Jasmine Nichols to the coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Nichols returns to Western Illinois after spending the 2025-26 year working as an Exercise Specialist, where she worked with the general population, including athletes, before returning to Macomb to begin her coaching career.
Nichols spent two seasons playing at Western Illinois from 2023-25. During her first season with the Leathernecks, she earned Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week honors.
Before coming to Western Illinois, Nichols played two seasons at Moorpark College, competing during the 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons. She helped Moorpark advance to the CCCAA State Championship Tournament during the 2019-20 season and was named First Team All-Conference in both seasons.
Nichols capped her time at Moorpark by being inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame as the Female Athlete of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
Nichols earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Western Illinois in 2025.
The 2026-27 season marks Nichols’ first collegiate coaching opportunity as she begins her coaching career with the Leathernecks.
