July 26, 2020 at 7:15 a.m.
Nichols ready to lead next era of Hodag tennis
Nichols ready to lead next era of Hodag tennis
"I don't know if overwhelmed is the right word, because I do feel excited and confident that I can lead the team, but it's probably going to be a bit of a challenge following in Bob's footsteps," Nichols told the River News in a recent phone interview. "He's one of the best."
Nichols is prepared to take over. He inherits a program that has combined to win 17 of 19 conference titles in boys' and girls' tennis since Rhinelander joined the Great Northern Conference in the 2010-11 school year.
Nichols is no stranger to the game, or to the RHS tennis program. He was a three-year starter at No. 1 doubles for Rhinelander's former Wisconsin Valley Conference rival Wausau West from 2009-2011, qualifying for the WIAA Division 1 state tournament in 2011. He was also an accomplished Nordic skier, winning the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League individual state championship for Wausau East/West in 2010, and finishing runner-up in the state meet to future U.S. Ski Team member Kevin Bolger of Lakeland in 2011. He skied collegiately at UW-Green Bay and is currently a science teacher at James Williams Middle School.
Nichols was able to get an up close and personal look at the program the past two springs as Heideman's assistant coach. As he takes the reins, he stressed there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
"The big thing is, right now, is just kind of continuing what Bob has started and maintained for the last 30 years - keeping that excellence in tennis, helping the kids to not only learn the sport and enjoy it throughout their high school years, but also helping them to become passionate for a lifetime," he said. "Tennis is a lifetime sport, so it would be nice to see those kids continue playing throughout their lives."
Nichols will be aided as he takes over the program by someone with whom he is extremely familiar. His younger brother, Ben, was named the assistant coach for both the boys' and girls' squads. Matt Nichols said the opportunity to work with his brother factored into his decision to take the head coaching position in the wake of Heideman's retirement.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I think we obviously know each other pretty well, so we play to each other's strengths and weaknesses. I imagine us being able to work very fluidly with the team, changing up how we're doing things. He's working with one group, I'm working with another and then switch off. And then just the experience he brings, because he's coached at Wausau East and Wausau West. What he knows is going to be a little different than what I know having worked with coach Heideman. It will be fun to see what he brings to the table."
Ben Nichols was a three-year starter at No. 1 doubles for the Warriors from 2014-2016, qualifying for state in 2015 and 2016 and winning the WVC title at No. 1 doubles in 2016. He served as an assistant coach at both Wausau East and Wausau West over the last couple of years as he finished up his college education at UW-Stevens Point.
The younger Nichols was hired by the district in May to fill a math teaching vacancy for the upcoming school year.
RHS activities director Brian Paulson told the River News that he felt the activities department had "nailed it" in the hiring of the Nichols brothers and that he is excited to see the two lead the program into the future.
"Once the kids get to meet these two individuals, if they haven't yet, I think they're going to be excited for the future," Paulson said. "Sad at that same time that coach Heideman isn't around, but excited about the potential of having a replacement like them."
Heideman stepped down in May after a run at RHS of 36 years in which he was either head coach of the boys' team, the girls' team or both simultaneously. His career included 591 career victories, 21 conference championships, 22 subsectional titles, two sectional titles and 51 individual state tournament entries. Heideman was set to be inducted into the Wisconsin Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in March before the ceremony was canceled on the eve of the event due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In March, and again when he retired in May, Heideman insisted he would not retire unless he felt the program was in secure hands moving forward. He believes the program has that with the Nichols brothers.
"This is what we hoped for," Heideman said in a text message to the River News after the hiring of the Nichols brothers was confirmed. "It is the best possible situation for the Hodag high school tennis programs to be in. Matt and Ben are young, knowledgeable, energetic, committed and eager to get started. I anticipate good things for them, the athletes and the programs."
In one way, the baton has already been passed between the two coaches. Matt Nichols has taken over the summer tennis lessons that Heideman has run for years. Those lessons started at the beginning of July, following social distancing guidelines.
Matt Nichols said Heideman stressed the fundamentals and had a knack for tailoring his instruction to each player, based on that individual's skill and aspirations - something that he will look to incorporate into his coaching style.
"I'll really try to work with each individual athlete and meet them where they're at and get them going in the right direction, really unlocking the potential that they have," he said, noting that Heideman will not be much further than a call or text message away should he have any questions during the transition period.
Matt Nichols also previously served as an assistant volleyball coach at RHS. He initially expressed interest in the head volleyball coaching position after Brianna Scheuermann's resignation earlier this year, but took his name out of the running once the tennis position became available. Jim Povolo was named the head volleyball coach in June.
"I was interested in both and, ultimately I saw tennis, I thought of the last couple of seasons I had with the girls' volleyball and the boys' tennis. Both were great experiences but I really enjoyed being outside on the courts, working with the team and I thought I'd enjoy that more moving forward," he said. "Also having the opportunity to work with the girls' team as well was a big draw, since that was previously not an opportunity."
Another added perk, the potential to have a year-round place to play tennis, which will come later this year with the completion of the Hodag Sports Complex. The air-supported dome will include four multi-purpose sport courts, which can be used for tennis practices and matches.
"It will be awesome for the offseason," Matt Nichols said. "I've already been talking to Brian about potentially having those reserved a couple of days a week throughout the winter for open hits. Even for competition, a lot of the time we're getting canceled out because of rain or snow. That will unlock that potential to host bigger meets."
The RHS girls' tennis team is slated to start practice for the fall 2020 season Aug. 17, under a revised fall sports calendar approved Thursday by the WIAA Board of Control.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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