Coach Tommy Nicholson enters his fourth season at the helm for the Aggies in 2025.
2024 was the most successful season for Nicholson since taking over, posting a 29-27 record marking just the third-ever winning record in UC Davis' Division I era and the first season above .500 since 2015.
With his background as an infielder, Nicholson's 2024 unit was amongst the best in the country, recording the third most double plays turned in the country, while having the second most on a per game basis. Offensively, the Aggies under Nicholson's leadership posted the 23rd most sacrifice bunts in the country and saw +48 run increase from the prior season with eight different hitters among the Aggie depth posting 35 or more hits.
On the mound in 2024, Nicholson's Aggies had the 39th best earned run average in the country and 50th in walks allowed per nine innings. Highlighting this staff for Nicholson was Bryan Green and Carter Delaney, giving UC Davis a secodn straight season with two or more All-Big West end of season selections.
In 2023, Nicholson led UC Davis to a 17-37 season. A year that saw vast improvements, Nicholson nearly tripled his win total from 2022 and in the process, registered his first win against a ranked opponent after downing UCLA on April 16. In addition to this achievement, Nicholson's Aggies secured two Big West series victories over Cal State Bakersfield and Cal Poly.
The growth from the team was apparent in the Aggies' internal player development. In just his second season, Nicholson helped Alex Gouveia become a Big West Second Team selection while Danny Carrion became the first player drafted under his tutelage as a head coach after being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Guiding UC Davis to a 6-35 record in his first season, Nicholson dealt with adversity after inheriting a team amidst an investigation. Through all these pains under Nicholson leadership, the Aggies recorded more success than anyone could have anticipated.
Recording his first win against UC Riverside on April 3, and his first series win against UC San Diego later in May, Nicholson and staff look to build on the experience and development from last year.
In just his first season, under Nicholson’s tutelage, Mark Wolbert was a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American, the Big West Freshman of the Year, and a Big West All-First Team selection.
Nicholson was announced as the 11th head coach in program history by UC Davis Athletics Director Rocko DeLuca on Dec. 16, 2021.
"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."
