Harford Community College Athletics

Damon Nichols was named interim head coach of the Harford women's basketball progam on June 10, 2020.

Nichols spent the 2019-20 season as an assistant coach for the Fighting Owls, leading the women in blue to a 21-4-1 record. The season included an eight-game win streak to start the year. On Feb. 16, the Fighting Owls defeated Chesapeake by an 84-68 scoreline to guarantee the women's basketball program its 8th straight 20+ win season. 

Harford ended the year leading the NJCAA in points per game allowed (48.6) along with steals per game (16.9). The Fighting Owls also finished second at the Division I level in blocks per game (8.4) and finished Top 15 in scoring (81.2 ppg) among DI teams.

Under Nichols guidance, Harford guard Kelvajha Foster obtained an NJCAA DI All-American award. Additionally, helped helped produce two All-Maryland JUCO Conference players in Foster (Second Team) and redshirt sophomore Tsahai Corbie (Honorable Mention).

Prior to Harford, Damon Nichols spent three seasons as an assistant women's basketball coach at Coppin State (2016-19) and Lincoln University (2015-16)

Nichols is no stranger to the Maryland JUCO Conference basketball scene. From 2009-12, he served as the head women's basketball coach at Chesapeake College. In his final season at the helm of the Skipjacks, Coach Nichols was named District K coach of the year, led his team to a Maryland JUCO Championship  Region 20 Championship, and a trip to the NJCAA DI National Tournament. Chesapeake finished the year by placing 7th in the nation.

In 2008, Nichols became the assistant men’s basketball coach at Chesapeake College. Alongside head coach John Mappas, he helped guide the Skipjacks to a Region XX championship in his first season.

Nichols graduated from North Caroline High School in 1995. He played varsity football, basketball and track for four years at NCHS. After graduating from North Caroline, he continued his education at Chesapeake College where he also played basketball. In 1997, Nichols returned to North Caroline High School to coach junior varsity football and basketball, with junior varsity basketball recording two undefeated seasons while he coached with the program.

In 2000, Nichols became the varsity assistant football coach/running back coach. The same year he was named assistant varsity basketball coach where he remained for eight years.