Completed Event: Women's Golf at Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational on September 29, 2025 , , T-8th of 15
W Golf
at Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational
T-8th of 15
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Reigning national champion coach to lead Lopes
6/10/2024 3:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
Nicoson led alma mater UIndy to national championships in 2015, 2018, 2024
Reigning NCAA Division II national champion Brent Nicoson has been named Grand Canyon's new women's golf head coach.Â
Nicoson has been the men's and women's golf head coach at his alma mater, University of Indianapolis, where he led the women's program to three national championships, including a recent 2024 title.Â
"I am very excited for the opportunity to lead the GCU women's golf program," Nicoson said. "On my visit, I was very impressed by the staff, campus and culture-first atmosphere in the athletic department. I can't wait to meet the players in person and get started with our new journey together."
Nicoson played golf at UIndy from 1992 to 1994 and captained the 1994 Greyhounds. He took over as head coach of the men's program in 2006 and added leading the women's program beginning in 2011.Â
"We are thrilled to have a perennial national champion and a proven winner in Coach Brent Nicoson to lead our women's golf program," GCU Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs said. "He is known as an outstanding recruiter and one of the most elite golf instructors in the country. More importantly, he strongly aligns with GCU's Christ-centered mission and has built winning programs founded on a culture of community and service. We are excited to welcome Coach Nicoson to the Lopes family."Â
Nicoson has built an elite D-II program that has been dominant in competition against D-I teams. On the women's side, Nicoson's teams have posted a 248-94-1 (.723) record against D-I opponents in tournament play.Â
In nearly 20 seasons at the helm of UIndy golf, Nicoson collected 15 Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year awards, 14 NCAA Region Coach of the Year awards and 152 tournament championships. His women's teams competed in 12 consecutive national championship finals and won 11 of the last 12 Great Lakes Valley Conference titles.Â
Nicoson has been a PGA member and swing instructor since 1996. He is the personal swing instructor of professional golfer Erica Shepherd, who has won multiple United States Golf Association titles and the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship. He has been trusted as the swing instructor for the state of Indiana's No. 1 ranked female in the high school classes of 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2029.Â
Beyond Shepherd, Nicoson also has coached the 2019 and 2020 Ping National Player of the Year winners and 21 All-Americans on the women's side alone.Â
A voice for women's golf at the national level, Nicoson was the chair of the NCAA Division II Women's National Committee and a member of the Men's and Women's NCAA Regional Advisory Committees.Â
Community service has been a key tenet of Nicoson's programs, including visits to local children's hospitals and golf activities with Special Olympics.Â
Nicoson will look to lead GCU back to the NCAA tournament and — after a final year in the WAC — through a transition to the West Coast Conference beginning in July 2025.
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Dan Brooks, Duke women's golf head coach
"Brent is one of the finest collegiate coaches and golf teachers in the nation. He's dedicated and extremely hard-working. He will be a great asset to Grand Canyon University. Look for great things in the very near future for all his players and the university."Â
Therese Hession, longtime former Ohio State women's golf head coachÂ
"Coach Nicoson has been involved as my instructor since Day 1 of my career and has been instrumental in every step along the way. I simply would not be where I am today without his guidance and commitment. He is extremely knowledgeable and cares about his players tremendously. I know he will have an immediate positive impact on the Grand Canyon University women's golf program."
Erica Shepherd, professional golfer
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Nicoson has been the men's and women's golf head coach at his alma mater, University of Indianapolis, where he led the women's program to three national championships, including a recent 2024 title.Â
"I am very excited for the opportunity to lead the GCU women's golf program," Nicoson said. "On my visit, I was very impressed by the staff, campus and culture-first atmosphere in the athletic department. I can't wait to meet the players in person and get started with our new journey together."
Nicoson played golf at UIndy from 1992 to 1994 and captained the 1994 Greyhounds. He took over as head coach of the men's program in 2006 and added leading the women's program beginning in 2011.Â
"We are thrilled to have a perennial national champion and a proven winner in Coach Brent Nicoson to lead our women's golf program," GCU Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs said. "He is known as an outstanding recruiter and one of the most elite golf instructors in the country. More importantly, he strongly aligns with GCU's Christ-centered mission and has built winning programs founded on a culture of community and service. We are excited to welcome Coach Nicoson to the Lopes family."Â
Nicoson has built an elite D-II program that has been dominant in competition against D-I teams. On the women's side, Nicoson's teams have posted a 248-94-1 (.723) record against D-I opponents in tournament play.Â
In nearly 20 seasons at the helm of UIndy golf, Nicoson collected 15 Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year awards, 14 NCAA Region Coach of the Year awards and 152 tournament championships. His women's teams competed in 12 consecutive national championship finals and won 11 of the last 12 Great Lakes Valley Conference titles.Â
Nicoson has been a PGA member and swing instructor since 1996. He is the personal swing instructor of professional golfer Erica Shepherd, who has won multiple United States Golf Association titles and the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship. He has been trusted as the swing instructor for the state of Indiana's No. 1 ranked female in the high school classes of 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2029.Â
Beyond Shepherd, Nicoson also has coached the 2019 and 2020 Ping National Player of the Year winners and 21 All-Americans on the women's side alone.Â
A voice for women's golf at the national level, Nicoson was the chair of the NCAA Division II Women's National Committee and a member of the Men's and Women's NCAA Regional Advisory Committees.Â
Community service has been a key tenet of Nicoson's programs, including visits to local children's hospitals and golf activities with Special Olympics.Â
Nicoson will look to lead GCU back to the NCAA tournament and — after a final year in the WAC — through a transition to the West Coast Conference beginning in July 2025.
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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Great hire. Brent built a dynasty at the University of Indianapolis, both women and men. He cares about his players as people, he's passionate, he's tireless, he connects with his players, and he knows the golf swing. Given the support I know he'll get at Grand Canyon, I look forward to watching Brent work his magic in Phoenix."Dan Brooks, Duke women's golf head coach
"Brent is one of the finest collegiate coaches and golf teachers in the nation. He's dedicated and extremely hard-working. He will be a great asset to Grand Canyon University. Look for great things in the very near future for all his players and the university."Â
Therese Hession, longtime former Ohio State women's golf head coachÂ
"Coach Nicoson has been involved as my instructor since Day 1 of my career and has been instrumental in every step along the way. I simply would not be where I am today without his guidance and commitment. He is extremely knowledgeable and cares about his players tremendously. I know he will have an immediate positive impact on the Grand Canyon University women's golf program."
Erica Shepherd, professional golfer
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Head Coach Brent Nicoson Meets the Team | August 29, 2024
Friday, February 07