BROWNWOOD – May 24, 2016 – Howard Payne University alumnus Mark Nickols was recently named the 2016 Class 6A Assistant Coach of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. He serves as assistant basketball coach at San Angelo’s Central High School.
According to the San Angelo ISD website, Nickols helped his team reach the playoffs for the second straight year this season. They finished the season with a record of 21-12. He will be recognized this month at the annual convention of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
“At HPU, I really appreciated the small classes and professors who truly cared about my success,” said Nickols.
Nickols said it was Coach Troy Drummond’s friendship with San Angelo’s Coach Jaime Boswell that led him to begin his career at Central High School.
Drummond serves as head men’s basketball coach, head golf coach and associate athletic director for operations at HPU.
“I am very proud of Mark for taking an opportunity and making the most of it,” said Drummond. “When Coach Boswell got the job at San Angelo Central and was talking to me about his assistant position I really thought that Mark would be a great fit. Mark is an exceptional young man with a great work ethic. I’m so very happy for him and his family and wish him all the best.”
A 2010 HPU graduate, Nickols is the son of John and Barbara Nickols of Brownwood. John Nickols serves at HPU as assistant professor of history and political science and special assistant to the athletic director.
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Cutline: HPU alumnus Mark Nickols was recently named the 2016 Class 6A Assistant Coach of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. Photo courtesy of San Angelo ISD.