RC’s Flaherty adds Nichols to women’s hoop staff

Nichols, who will assist RC Head Coach Carla Flaherty with all facets of the Maroon program, is no stranger to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Nichols led the women’s hoops program at Randolph College for six years, which saw the WildCats earn its two highest win totals in program history.

“I am very happy to welcome Allison to the Maroon Family,” said Flaherty.  “She brings a wealth of experience from her time in the ODAC as a player and as a coach and I know she will be a great role model for our players both on and off the court. Allison is passionate about coaching and will be instrumental in helping to continuously build and grow our program.”

A Lynchburg, Virginia native, Nichols has coached at all three NCAA levels following a brief stint in the high school ranks. She served as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Augusta State University (Augusta, Ga.) from 2006-2008 where she was responsible for assisting in all aspects of the women’s basketball program. At Augusta State, Nichols helped lead the squad to a 38-20 record over two years, including a South Atlantic Region top-three finish, Peach Belt Conference regular season co-championship, and NCAA Tournament berth in 2008.

Prior to Augusta State, Nichols served as assistant varsity girl’s basketball coach at Loudoun County High School. During her two years at Loudoun County, the team was crowned Dulles District and Region II Champions, while earning a trip to the Virginia State Final Four finishing 29-2 in the 2005-2006 season.

In 2008, Nichols joined East Carolina University’s women’s basketball program, serving as director of basketball operations. At East Carolina, Nichols was responsible for all team travel, film exchange, recruiting, marketing and promotions, and community service events. She helped coach the Pirates to a 22-10 overall mark and a trip to the NCAA WNIT Tournament.

“I am so excited to join Coach Flaherty and the Roanoke Women’s Basketball program as well as the Roanoke athletics department and campus community,” said Nichols. “Growing up in central Virginia and competing in the ODAC as a player, Roanoke Women’s Basketball has always been a program that I respected and admired. I truly believe in Coach Flaherty’s vision for the program, and I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with her to elevate the program to the next level.”

Nichols played at ODAC rival Bridgewater College, where she was part of a team that won two regular-season conference titles and had a 76-32 overall record.