Staff Directory

Chester Nichols

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
Phone:
205-963-5700

Personal Information

Hometown: Ocala, Fla.
Education: Greenville College, 1997

Coaching Experience

2026-present: Alabama, Assistant Coach
2022-26: Southern Illinois, Associate Head Coach
2019-22: Wichita State, Assistant Coach
2014-19: West Virginia, Associate Head Coach
2012-14: Michigan, Assistant Coach
2010-12: Kansas, Assistant Coach
2009-10: Central Florida, Assistant Coach
2003-09: West Virginia, Assistant Coach
2001-02: Central Florida CC, Assistant Coach

Chester Nichols will enter his first season with the Alabama women's basketball team during the 2026-27 campaign after being named assistant coach by head coach Pauline Love on April 24.

"Chester brings a complete skill set to our staff. He has a strong eye for talent, a detailed approach to analytics and a proven ability to develop players at a high level," said Love. "His work ethic and intentionality in recruiting and preparation will make an immediate impact on our program. We're excited to add someone who can connect the dots between evaluation, development and winning."

Nichols has aided in 13 20-plus win seasons across multiple schools, including five-straight seasons at West Virginia (2014-19). He has also helped take a trio of teams to 12 different postseason appearances, highlighted by a Sweet 16 matchup with Kansas in 2012.

During his two stints at West Virginia, he recruited and developed a total of eight Women's National Basketball Association draft picks

Southern Illinois - Associate Head Coach (2022-26)

Spent the four seasons at Southern Illinois, severing as associate head coach
Aided in the Salukis' four-straight Missouri Valley Conference Tournament appearances

Wichita State - Assistant Coach (2019-22)

Helped coach Wichita State to back-to-back quarterfinal games in the American Atlantic Conference Tournament (2019, 2020) while serving as an assistant coach

West Virginia - Associate Head Coach (2014-19); Assistant Coach (2003-09)

Spent two stints at West Virginia, ending his tenure as an associate head coach for the Mountaineers
Played an instrumental role in bringing five top-20 recruiting classes to WVU and the signing of the fourth overall 2021 WNBA draft pick Kysre Gondrezick
Through both his tenures, the Mountaineers made five NCAA tournaments and five WNIT appearances
Aided in West Virginia's first Big 12 Conference Tournament title (2017), where the team knocked off the tournament's top three seeds (No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 2 Texas and No. 1 Baylor)
Recruited and coached a total of eight WNBA draft picks during his time at WVU

Michigan - Assistant Coach (2012-14)

Helped Michigan reach program records for most wins in a season (22) and most consecutive wins (10) during his first season (2012-13)
Recorded three-straight 20-plus win seasons during his stint with the Wolverines' (2012-14)

Kansas - Assistant Coach (2010-12)

Served two seasons at Kansas where he helped KU to a combined 42-26 overall record while making postseason appearances in the WNIT (2011) and NCAA Tournament (2012)