University of Central Arkansas Athletics

After seven years as the head coach at Newman (Kan.) University, Derek Nichols returned to Central Arkansas as Assistant Coach in 2012, and was elevated to Associate Head Coach in 2013. Nichols brings  30 years of soccer coaching experience to Conway, including various stops at the collegiate, Olympic Development Program, and club levels. He enters his 14th season with the Central Arkansas women's soccer team in 2025. 

In 13 seasons as assistant with UCA, the Bears have these awards:

• ASUN West Division Co-Champion (2021)
• 2 time Southland Conference Champions (2016, 2018)
• 9 Conference Tournament Appearances (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) 
• 6 Conference Tournament Semifinals (2016-2018, 2022-2024)
• 2 Conference Player of the Year (2016, 2018)
• 2 Time Forward of the Year (2016, 2018)
• 2 Time Newcomer of the Year (2012, 2018)
• 1 Midfielder of the Year (2023)
• 1 Defender of the Year (2018)
• 1 Goalkeeper of the Year (2018)
• 1 Freshman of the Year (2015)
• 1 Academic All-American
• 9 All-Region Players
• 46 All-Conference Players 
• Set program record for wins in a season twice (15 wins in 2016, 16 wins in 2018)
• Raised RPI from 283 in 2012 to 62 to 2018, peaking at 50
• 2018 team was third in the nation in goals per game, and was the only program with two players in the top-20 in goals scored
• 8 players have gone on to play professional soccer overseas

Nichols, who played in 36 games for the bears in 1996-97, served as an assistant coach at Hendrix University (Div-III), before spending the 2001-02 seasons as graduate assistant for Central Arkansas' men's program. During his time on the staff, the Bears compiled a record of 30-8-2, including a 17-2-2  record and No. 3 national ranking in 2002. Following the 2002 season, Nichols moved to Lyon College (NAIA), helping to start the soccer program there and serving two seasons as Head Coach of the Women's program. 

In 2005, Nichols was chosen to lead the program at Newman, and in his first season, the team compiled a second-half record of 7-2-2, earning a Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship and a No. 3 regional ranking. In 2006, the school's provisional year of Div.-II membership, Nichols led the Jets to a 12-4-1 record, earning Newman's Coach of the Year Award in the process. IN 2009, Nichols was named the Heartland Conference Coach of the Year, and in 2010 he led the Jets to their first 10-win season as a full-fledged member Div.-II. 

Nichols has a USSF B Coaching License and an NSCAA Goalkeeping Diploma. He earned both an M.S. and a B.S.E. in Kinesiology from Central Arkansas. He and his wife, Jessica, reside in Conway and are parents of two daughters, Haley and Kensey, and late son Gavin.