Country Roads: Chester Nichols
July 13, 2018 03:47 PM | Women's Basketball
Considered one of the top recruiters in the country, Chester Nichols began his Division I coaching career on Mike Carey's West Virginia University women's basketball team in 2003. He helped lead the Mountaineers to three NCAA tournament bids and appearances in the Big East and WNIT title games.
After departing WVU in 2009, Nichols held assistant coaching positions at UCF, Kansas and Michigan until 2014. Then, after finishing his time in Ann Arbor, Nichols accepted Carey's offer to return to Morgantown as an associate head coach.
"I always thought it would be an awesome thing to come back if the opportunity presented itself," Nichols said. "When the opportunity presented itself it was too good to turn down."
Having been a member of Carey's early years at WVU, Nichols was familiar with his coaching style and the way he runs his team. This made for a smooth transition when Nichols returned to the Coliseum court in 2014. Nichols and Carey were used to working together, making Nichols a good fit for Carey's staff.
"It's a lot easier for Coach Carey to bring in people who have experienced his culture during their time here, as opposed to bringing somebody from the outside to the inside to make this work," said Nichols.
Although he hails from Ocala, Florida, Nichols considers Morgantown his second home. During his first years at WVU, he was awed by the passion West Virginians show for Mountaineer sports. One of his favorite parts of the job is going out into the community to interact with the fans. Their support of the university's student-athletes makes his job that much more enjoyable. When members of the public are that invested in the outcome of the games, Nichols feels like the team's efforts in the gym and at practice are worth it.
From the new Basketball Practice Facility to a new conference, a lot has changed since Nichols' original tenure at WVU. Nichols and his fellow staff members have new offices in the practice facility, along with a new space for weight training and practices for the athletes. Despite the changes, much of the familiarity for Nichols remains. Coach Carey leads his team with the same class and purpose he did a decade ago.
"Obviously he's established a culture and part of that culture is who we are and what we stand for," said Nichols. "He's surrounded himself with likeminded people."
In his time on women's basketball staffs around the country, Nichols had the chance to learn what it takes to find success both on and off the court. He found that athletes who take the time to put in the work are capable of achieving great things both as a student and as a player. In his return to WVU, he hopes to instill these values in another generation of Mountaineers.
"You can't cheat the grind," he said. "If you put in the time, you're going to get rewarded for it. Don't give up. Fight, persevere and finish."
After departing WVU in 2009, Nichols held assistant coaching positions at UCF, Kansas and Michigan until 2014. Then, after finishing his time in Ann Arbor, Nichols accepted Carey's offer to return to Morgantown as an associate head coach.
"I always thought it would be an awesome thing to come back if the opportunity presented itself," Nichols said. "When the opportunity presented itself it was too good to turn down."
Having been a member of Carey's early years at WVU, Nichols was familiar with his coaching style and the way he runs his team. This made for a smooth transition when Nichols returned to the Coliseum court in 2014. Nichols and Carey were used to working together, making Nichols a good fit for Carey's staff.
"It's a lot easier for Coach Carey to bring in people who have experienced his culture during their time here, as opposed to bringing somebody from the outside to the inside to make this work," said Nichols.
Although he hails from Ocala, Florida, Nichols considers Morgantown his second home. During his first years at WVU, he was awed by the passion West Virginians show for Mountaineer sports. One of his favorite parts of the job is going out into the community to interact with the fans. Their support of the university's student-athletes makes his job that much more enjoyable. When members of the public are that invested in the outcome of the games, Nichols feels like the team's efforts in the gym and at practice are worth it.
From the new Basketball Practice Facility to a new conference, a lot has changed since Nichols' original tenure at WVU. Nichols and his fellow staff members have new offices in the practice facility, along with a new space for weight training and practices for the athletes. Despite the changes, much of the familiarity for Nichols remains. Coach Carey leads his team with the same class and purpose he did a decade ago.
"Obviously he's established a culture and part of that culture is who we are and what we stand for," said Nichols. "He's surrounded himself with likeminded people."
In his time on women's basketball staffs around the country, Nichols had the chance to learn what it takes to find success both on and off the court. He found that athletes who take the time to put in the work are capable of achieving great things both as a student and as a player. In his return to WVU, he hopes to instill these values in another generation of Mountaineers.
"You can't cheat the grind," he said. "If you put in the time, you're going to get rewarded for it. Don't give up. Fight, persevere and finish."
NCAA Second Round Press Conference | Kellogg, Harrison, Shaw
Monday, March 23
NCAA First Round Recap
Sunday, March 22
Mark Kellogg, Meme Wheeler & Jordan Harrison | NCAA First Round vs. Miami (OH)
Saturday, March 21
NCAA Tournament Trailer
Friday, March 20
