Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Baseball
Kevin Nichols
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach / Hitting Coach
- Email:
- Kevin.Nichols@mtsu.edu
- Phone:
- 494-8796
Kevin Nichols joined the Blue Raider coaching staff on July 26, 2022 and currently serves as the team's associate head coach and hitting coach. The 2026 season will be his fourth season on staff.
In his first season with the program, Nichols oversaw a lineup featuring four hitters with batting averages at .300 or above. Shortstop Brett Coker led the team in hitting with a .347 AVG and secured a spot on the CUSA All-Conference First-Team alongside Jaden Hamm. Catcher and designated hitter Jeremiah Boyd hit .306 on the year and had a team-high 13 home runs as a graduate transfer from Presbyterian College. MTSU increased that number in the 2024 lineup with five regular starters batting over .300, led by a .347 year from infielder Gabe Jennings
MTSU raised its team batting average 14 points between 2022 and 2023, from .275 to .289. This was despite not returning three of its top four hitters from the '22 season. In 2023, The Blue Raiders started 2-0 in the Conference USA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
In 2025, Nichols led three Blue Raiders to CUSA teams; Eston Snider (First Team), Brett Vondohlen (Second Team) and Brett Rogers (All-Freshman).
Third baseman Brett Vondohlen made history with a 10-RBI performance against long-time rival WKU on April 26, 2024. The redshirt freshman went 4-for-5 with three home runs, including two grand slams and a two-run shot, in a 16-9 victory. He earned D1 Baseball Top Performer and Golden Spikes Performance of the Week honors for the feat. In 2025, Vondohlen ranked among the top 10 in program history for single-season home runs (18), earning a spot on the CUSA Second Team.
Brett Rogers broke out in 2025, landing on the CUSA All-Freshman Team after hitting .331, the 12th-best mark in the league. A steady presence in right field, he tallied six outfield assists while showing off his speed and arm strength.
Four-year starter Eston Snider capped his Blue Raider career with a spot on the 2025 CUSA First Team. He led the team in eight major offensive categories, including batting average (.341), OPS (.954), runs (45), doubles (16), on-base percentage (.445), and stolen bases (22). Snider also secured his place in the program record book with 40 career hit-by-pitches.
The Blue Raiders’ have amassed 36 games of scoring double digit runs in the three seasons Nichols has led MTSU at the plate.
Nichols came to Murfreesboro after five seasons at College of Charleston, where he served as the team's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, and oversaw hitting and base running. Before College of Charleston, Nichols was the head coach of Erskine College from 1999 to 2017.
2017-2022 Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator – College of Charleston
Nichols helped lead the Cougars to a 148-87 record while overseeing recruiting and offense. College of Charleston won the 2022 CAA regular season championship with a 19-5 record, which included an undefeated home conference record.
The Cougars proved to be a tough opponent against Power 5 schools while Nichols was on staff, including a sweep of Georgia, and wins over Texas, South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama, Kansas State and Arizona.
1999-2017 Head Baseball Coach/Assistant Athletic Director – Erskine College
Nichols guided Erskine College baseball program for 18 seasons. Highlights include breaking the school's single season record for wins in 2008, topping the 40-win mark three times in 2006 (42-16) 2008 (44-13) and 2010 (41-15), leading the Fleet to their first NCAA regional appearance, the 2016 conference championship and winning 2016 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year.
In his 18 seasons, Nichols amassed 588 career wins. He picked up his 434th career win on February 6th 2013, moving him past Harry Stillie as the winningest baseball coach in program history. Nichols picked up his 500th career victory as the Flying Fleet defeated Anderson 19-2 on Feb. 17, 2015.
Under Nichols, 35 players have signed professional contracts, 100 have been named All-Conference, 33 have earned All-Region honors, six have been named CVAC Freshmen of the Year, three have been named Conference Player of the Year, two have been named Pitcher of the Year 12 have been named All-American, and two players have won National Player of the Year honors (Casey Smith, 2005 and Bryan Fogle, 2010).
He spearheaded improvements to Grier Field in his tenure, including a new professional playing surface, installation of a new drainage system, irrigation system, a new scoreboard, regulation size fence, bullpens, a fairway mower for the field, new locker room and team room, and a five ft. brick wall that surrounds the field.
Individual NCAA Records and Honors Under Nichols:
- Shelton Cisson NCAA career Hits Leader (366) 2004-2007
- Bryan Fogle NCAA career Home Run Leader (73) 2007-2010
- Bryan Fogle NCAA career Total Base Leader (630) 2007-2010
- Bryan Fogle NCAA career Runs Batted In Leader (310) 2007-2010
- Chas Anthony NCAA career Doubles Leader (87) 2007-2010
- Atlee Pearson NCAA career Saves Leader (33) 2008-2011
- Casey Smith NCAA National Player of the Year (2005)
- Bryan Fogle NCAA National Player of the Year (2010)
Nichols was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1996 MLB Draft. During his professional career, Nichols spent time in Martinsville, Piedmont, and Clearwater.
A member of the PBR (Professional Baseball Representatives), Nichols has also served on the NCAA regional committee for four years.
In 2016 Nichols was Inducted into the Conference Carolinas Hall of Fame “Legends of the Game" award.
The 1996 graduate of Alabama met his wife Kristy in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and has 3 children Libby, Brick and Jax.
In his first season with the program, Nichols oversaw a lineup featuring four hitters with batting averages at .300 or above. Shortstop Brett Coker led the team in hitting with a .347 AVG and secured a spot on the CUSA All-Conference First-Team alongside Jaden Hamm. Catcher and designated hitter Jeremiah Boyd hit .306 on the year and had a team-high 13 home runs as a graduate transfer from Presbyterian College. MTSU increased that number in the 2024 lineup with five regular starters batting over .300, led by a .347 year from infielder Gabe Jennings
MTSU raised its team batting average 14 points between 2022 and 2023, from .275 to .289. This was despite not returning three of its top four hitters from the '22 season. In 2023, The Blue Raiders started 2-0 in the Conference USA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
In 2025, Nichols led three Blue Raiders to CUSA teams; Eston Snider (First Team), Brett Vondohlen (Second Team) and Brett Rogers (All-Freshman).
Third baseman Brett Vondohlen made history with a 10-RBI performance against long-time rival WKU on April 26, 2024. The redshirt freshman went 4-for-5 with three home runs, including two grand slams and a two-run shot, in a 16-9 victory. He earned D1 Baseball Top Performer and Golden Spikes Performance of the Week honors for the feat. In 2025, Vondohlen ranked among the top 10 in program history for single-season home runs (18), earning a spot on the CUSA Second Team.
Brett Rogers broke out in 2025, landing on the CUSA All-Freshman Team after hitting .331, the 12th-best mark in the league. A steady presence in right field, he tallied six outfield assists while showing off his speed and arm strength.
Four-year starter Eston Snider capped his Blue Raider career with a spot on the 2025 CUSA First Team. He led the team in eight major offensive categories, including batting average (.341), OPS (.954), runs (45), doubles (16), on-base percentage (.445), and stolen bases (22). Snider also secured his place in the program record book with 40 career hit-by-pitches.
The Blue Raiders’ have amassed 36 games of scoring double digit runs in the three seasons Nichols has led MTSU at the plate.
Nichols came to Murfreesboro after five seasons at College of Charleston, where he served as the team's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, and oversaw hitting and base running. Before College of Charleston, Nichols was the head coach of Erskine College from 1999 to 2017.
2017-2022 Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator – College of Charleston
Nichols helped lead the Cougars to a 148-87 record while overseeing recruiting and offense. College of Charleston won the 2022 CAA regular season championship with a 19-5 record, which included an undefeated home conference record.
The Cougars proved to be a tough opponent against Power 5 schools while Nichols was on staff, including a sweep of Georgia, and wins over Texas, South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama, Kansas State and Arizona.
1999-2017 Head Baseball Coach/Assistant Athletic Director – Erskine College
Nichols guided Erskine College baseball program for 18 seasons. Highlights include breaking the school's single season record for wins in 2008, topping the 40-win mark three times in 2006 (42-16) 2008 (44-13) and 2010 (41-15), leading the Fleet to their first NCAA regional appearance, the 2016 conference championship and winning 2016 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year.
In his 18 seasons, Nichols amassed 588 career wins. He picked up his 434th career win on February 6th 2013, moving him past Harry Stillie as the winningest baseball coach in program history. Nichols picked up his 500th career victory as the Flying Fleet defeated Anderson 19-2 on Feb. 17, 2015.
Under Nichols, 35 players have signed professional contracts, 100 have been named All-Conference, 33 have earned All-Region honors, six have been named CVAC Freshmen of the Year, three have been named Conference Player of the Year, two have been named Pitcher of the Year 12 have been named All-American, and two players have won National Player of the Year honors (Casey Smith, 2005 and Bryan Fogle, 2010).
He spearheaded improvements to Grier Field in his tenure, including a new professional playing surface, installation of a new drainage system, irrigation system, a new scoreboard, regulation size fence, bullpens, a fairway mower for the field, new locker room and team room, and a five ft. brick wall that surrounds the field.
Individual NCAA Records and Honors Under Nichols:
- Shelton Cisson NCAA career Hits Leader (366) 2004-2007
- Bryan Fogle NCAA career Home Run Leader (73) 2007-2010
- Bryan Fogle NCAA career Total Base Leader (630) 2007-2010
- Bryan Fogle NCAA career Runs Batted In Leader (310) 2007-2010
- Chas Anthony NCAA career Doubles Leader (87) 2007-2010
- Atlee Pearson NCAA career Saves Leader (33) 2008-2011
- Casey Smith NCAA National Player of the Year (2005)
- Bryan Fogle NCAA National Player of the Year (2010)
Nichols was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1996 MLB Draft. During his professional career, Nichols spent time in Martinsville, Piedmont, and Clearwater.
A member of the PBR (Professional Baseball Representatives), Nichols has also served on the NCAA regional committee for four years.
In 2016 Nichols was Inducted into the Conference Carolinas Hall of Fame “Legends of the Game" award.
The 1996 graduate of Alabama met his wife Kristy in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and has 3 children Libby, Brick and Jax.
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
Monday, April 21
🎥 from the 52nd annual Groundhog Day Luncheon! Also, we play baseball this month 🤩
Sunday, February 02
MTSU Baseball 2025 52nd Annual Groundhog Day Luncheon
Friday, January 31
