Bill Nicholson

Bill Nicholson was named head coach of the Sweet Briar swim program as well as the director of aquatics on May 19th, 2025. Nicholson comes to Sweet Briar from Division II Maryville University in St. Louis, Mo., where he served as the head swimming and diving coach for the past four years.

While with the Saints, Nicholson led the women's program to the most wins in a regular season and also the highest championship point total in program history during the 2022-23 season. He also had his program selected as a College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American Team from the Fall 2020 semester through the Spring 2024 semester.

Nicholson also has experience at the Division I level, having served as the head swimming and diving coach at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. for 15 years. Nicholson established the first varsity women's swimming and diving team at VMI and served as the head coach of both the men's and women's programs while on his way to two Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships with the men's side.

Nicholson competed at the Division III level at the State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz. His accomplishments as a student-athlete include being a three-time NCAA Division III National Championship Meet Qualifier, the SUNYAC Champion in the 400 medley relay and an eight-time team record holder.

He later went on to coach at his alma mater as an assistant before becoming the head coach at SUNY Plattsburgh where he helped the men's and women's program grow from a roster of 12 to 35 in just a few years along with improvements in the men's team's dual meet record and conference championship point totals.

Nicholson graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in history before going on to earn his Master of Science in sport management from California University of Pennsylvania.

Maryville University (2020-2024)
- Head Swimming and Diving Coach (2020-2024)
Shenandoah Marlins Aquatics Club (2017-2020)
- Head Swim Coach (2017-2020)
Virginia Military Institute (2002-2017)
- Head Swimming and Diving Coach (2002-2017)
Condors Swim Club (2001-2002)
- Head Swim Coach (2001-2002)
SUNY Plattsburgh (1998-2001)
- Head Swimming and Diving Coach (1998-2001)
SUNY New Paltz (1996-1997)
- Assistant Swim Coach (1996-1997)

SUNY New Paltz (1993-1995)
- 3x NCAA Division III National Championship Meet Qualifier
- SUNYAC Champion - 400 Medley Relay
- 8x Team Record Holder

Year	Overall	Pct.	ODAC	Pct.	Postseason
2025-26	1-8	.111	1-6	.143	9th
1 Season	1-8	.111	1-6	.143	9th

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