The 2026-27 season marks Nick DeAtley’s ninth season with the Lynn University men’s basketball program. DeAtley joined the Fighting Knights as a graduate assistant in 2018-19, helping Lynn post a 25-7 overall record and advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
DeAtley was named an assistant coach ahead of the 2019-20 season before being promoted to head assistant coach prior to the 2021-22 campaign, becoming the youngest head assistant coach in the Sunshine State Conference at the time.
During the 2024-25 season, DeAtley helped guide the Fighting Knights to a 21-9 overall record and a 14-6 mark in SSC play. Lynn earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018-19 and advanced to the second round.
The Fighting Knights also established several single-season program records in 2024-25, including:
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Scoring average: 88.3 points per game
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Three-point field goals made: 391
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Total rebounds: 1,241
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Rebounding average: 41.4 per game
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Scoring margin: +11.9
Throughout his tenure, DeAtley has played a key role in recruiting and developing some of the Sunshine State Conference’s top talent, including six All-SSC selections and the 2022-23 SSC Freshman of the Year. His time with the program has also featured two players named to the Bevo Francis Award Top 100 Watch List, NCAA Division II statistical champions in three-point shooting and free throw percentage, a D2CCA Second Team All-South Region selection and a player who established the program’s single-season record for three-pointers made.
Additionally, 18 former Fighting Knights have gone on to play professionally during DeAtley’s tenure, including one who reached the NBA G League.
DeAtley oversees several aspects of the program, including scouting, game strategy and preparation, recruiting, player development, film analysis and monitoring the team’s academic success.
In 2025, Lynn led all NCAA Division II programs in NABC Honors Court selections, marking the first time in program history the Fighting Knights earned the distinction.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, DeAtley grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from South Lakes High School in Reston, Va. He earned his bachelor’s degree in American Studies from the College of William & Mary in 2018 before completing his master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education at Lynn University.
Beyond the court, DeAtley is passionate about giving back to the community and has volunteered with students with exceptional needs from diverse backgrounds through basketball programs at local Palm Beach County schools.
DeAtley comes from a basketball family. His father, Bruce, played basketball at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, while his uncle, Mark, is a longtime college and high school basketball official in South Florida.
