Soccer coach wins Heartland honor

Spring 2010 | Section: NU Athletics

Derek Nichols

Newman Head Women’s Soccer Coach Derek Nichols was named Heartland Conference Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year for 2009, making him the first Newman coach to have received the award. For the 2009 season, the Jets posted 8 wins, 7 losses, and 4 ties, and for the first time achieved regional ranking.

Since coming to the university in 2005, Nichols has led the Jets to a Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship and a Regional Quarterfinals third-place finish. The Jets’ first year as an NCAA Division II school was one of the best in the women’s soccer program, with a record of 12-4-1.

“The award is voted on by the coaches from the conference, and it is always nice to be recognized by your peers,” Nichols said. He added, however, that his success is shared with the student-athletes. “Our job is to get them prepared, but they are the ones who go out and perform to get the results.”