Davis, Calif. - Tommy Nicholson will be the 11th head coach in UC Davis baseball history Athletics Director
Rocko DeLuca announced on Thursday.
"We're thrilled to welcome Tommy to Davis," DeLuca said. "As a proven recruiter throughout his career, Tommy has the experience and connections to create a championship-level program at UC Davis. He reflects all the values we instill as an athletic department and a university and I'm excited to work together to elevate Aggie baseball."
Nicholson comes to Davis following four years as an assistant at Stanford where he served as the Cardinal's hitting, infield, and third base coach.
Under Nicholson, Stanford led the PAC-12 in home runs in 2019 with 48 and finished Nicholson's first season in 2018 with a .978 fielding percentage, the third-highest in program history.
"There is no better baseball mind in the country than Tommy Nicholson," Stanford head coach David Esquer said. "He is a class individual that will bring success and pride to UC Davis baseball. The Stanford baseball family thanks him for his countless contributions to our program and wishes him the best."
Prior to his time in Palo Alto Nicholson spent the 2017 season as an assistant at Sacramento State, where he helped lead the Hornets to the Stanford Regional. He also served as Sacramento State's infield coach in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, the Hornets finished with a .979 fielding percentage.
Nicholson began his coaching career at his alma mater at Texas, working as a volunteer assistant from 2009-10 and then as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2013-16.
The Longhorns advanced to the College World Series final in 2009 and 50 games in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, Texas ranked eighth nationally with a .976 fielding percentage and led the nation in 2010 with a .980 clip. Nicholson first recruiting class at Texas in 2013 was ranked No. 2 in the nation by Baseball America.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Nicholson was selected in the 11th round of the 2000 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. He spent 2000-2005 with the White Sox and Rockies, reaching Triple-A.
Nicholson hit .327 over his collegiate career at Texas with 147 runs scored, 223 hits, 37 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 114 RBIs and 20 stolen bases and was the team's most valuable player in 1999 and 2000.
He returned to graduate from Texas with his bachelor's degree in 2006.
"I am honored that Rocko and his team has given me this opportunity," Nicholson said. "My family and I can't wait to get to Davis and be part of a great community. I am looking forward to getting on the field with the guys and competing in a great conference."
ABOUT UC DAVIS:
Centrally located between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, over 700 student-athletes across 25 teams enjoy an unrivaled undergraduate experience at the fifth-ranked public school in the country.
Ranked annually in the nation's top 10 in diversity and students' social mobility, UC Davis and its innovative Aggie EVO system helps student-athletes develop passions, connect with a comprehensive network of alums and industry leaders, gain real-world experience and thrive as a young professional following a successful launch to full-time employment or graduate school.
