Travis Nichols was named the ninth head coach in the history of the Lynn University volleyball program in March of 2026, following the most successful stretch in Fighting Knight history, including the program’s first NCAA National Championship in 2024.
Nichols joined Lynn as a volunteer assistant in 2018 before being elevated to full-time assistant coach in July 2019. Over the next six seasons, he became a cornerstone of the program’s national rise, playing a vital role in recruiting, scouting, match preparation, game plan analysis and on-court player development.
Since 2019, the Fighting Knights have posted a 155-44 overall record, earned six consecutive NCAA Division II South Region appearances, recorded five 20-plus win seasons, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in 2023 and captured a program-record 33 victories during their 2024 National Championship campaign. During that span, Lynn produced 17 All-Americans and 27 All-Sunshine State Conference selections, firmly establishing itself as a national contender.
Nichols’ impact was immediate upon his arrival in 2018. After a nine-win season in 2017, Lynn improved to 17 victories the following year, fueled in part by Nichols’ detailed scouting reports and match preparation systems that helped elevate the program’s competitive consistency.
A 2015 graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, Nichols was a four-year starter on FGCU’s men’s volleyball club team, earning three all-conference selections and serving as team captain during the 2013-14 season. He also served as a student assistant coach for FGCU’s NCAA Division I women’s volleyball program, contributing to a regular-season conference championship and an 87-64 record during his tenure.
A South Florida native, Nichols was the Broward County Player of the Year at Cooper City High School and has remained deeply involved in the local volleyball community through his work with Wildfire Volleyball Academy in Weston.
Volleyball excellence runs in his family. His father, Dave Nichols, captured two NCAA National Championships as head coach at Barry University in 2001 and 2004, giving Nichols a lifelong perspective on championship culture and program building.
