Mike Nicholson took over the Raider Baseball program in the 2001 season and lead the team through the 2008 season.
In 2009 Nicholson was named Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Intramurals for Seminole State; he held that position until 2013. In 2014, Nicholson moved back into the role of Head Coach of the Raiders.
During Coach Nicholson’s tenure, the Raiders have qualified for post-season play seven times, have won the Mid-Florida Conference championship twice, made the NJCAA Regionals four times, and qualified for the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Nicholson has been named Conference Coach of the Year twice (2007, 2008), State Coach of the Year (2003), NJCAA Region 8 Coach of the Year (2003), and ABCA District Coach of the Year (2003). 48 Raiders have been drafted or signed pro contracts during Coach Nicholson’s time at Seminole State, with six making it onto MLB rosters (Mike McClendon, Johnny Monell, Brett Oberholtzer, Chris Heston, Dee Gordon, and Austin Hayes). Additionally, 125 Raiders signed athletic scholarships to four-year universities. Annually, over 90% of Raiders sophomores sign athletic scholarships to four-year universities or are drafted by MLB teams.
Prior to his tenure as Head Coach of the Raiders, Nicholson was Head Coach of Clarkson University for 3 seasons (1998-2000), leading the Golden Knights to their first ever post-season appearance. Clarkson won the ECAC region tournament in 2000, with Nicholson being named UCAA Coach of the Year.
Before being named Head Coach at Clarkson, Nicholson spent four years serving as a scout for the New York Yankees and Pittsburg Pirates.
Nicholson served as Assistant Head Coach at his alma mater, Wingate University, for two seasons under Hall of Fame coach Ron Christopher (1992-1993). In his second season, the Bulldogs win total improved by 11 games. The players Nicholson recruited went on to win three straight conference titles and three NCAA Division II appearances; six of those players signed pro contracts.
Nicholson began his coaching career in 1985 as a Graduate Assistant Coach at Virginia Tech, under Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Hartman. In 1987 Nicholson was promoted to Lead Assistant Coach, spending five more seasons with the Hokies. During his tenure in Blacksburg, 30 players signed pro contracts. Three Hokies made MLB rosters, including one World Series winner (Brad Clontz) and one two-time All Star performer (Mike Williams).
As an athlete, Nicholson was part of four consecutive conference championship teams at Wingate University, setting several school pitching records. Nicholson earned his B.S. in Parks and Recreation Administration from Wingate in 1984 and an M.S. in Physical Education from Virginia Tech in 1990.
Nicholson and his wife, Carolyn, have a son, Keith.
