John Nicolais

Biography

John Nicolais enters his second season on the Bowling Green State University women’s basketball staff in 2025-26. Nichols, who was named an assistant coach in July of 2024, came to the Falcons after spending the 2023-24 season as the interim head coach at Youngstown State. “This was a hard position to fill, but John checked every box,” said BGSU head coach Fred Chmiel. “John has great experience and success as a recruiter. He has led a program as the interim head coach, and has a multitude of years as an assistant at the collegiate level. “John is of high character and came highly recommended. We are excited to welcome John and his family to BGSU.” Nicolais (pronounced NICK-oh-lay) helped the 2024-25 Falcons end the regular season by winning seven of eight games, as BGSU finished the year with a total of 18 victories. Amy Velasco was named to the All-MAC First Team, with Lexi Fleming earning all-conference third-team honors and Paige Kohler earning All-MAC Honorable Mention. Johnea Donahue was named to both the MAC's All-Freshman Team and the league's all-defensive team. Fleming, Kohler, Velasco and Emily Siesel all were named to the Academic All-District Team, selected by CSC. And, that quartet was joined by Jasmine Fearne, Keiryn McGuff and Erika Porter as the Falcons had seven student-athletes named to the Academic All-MAC Team. That total was tied for highest in the MAC. Porter shattered the career record for field-goal percentage, shooting 61.8% from the floor to obliter