WNMU Athletics Begins the Year with Two New Coaches

Western New Mexico University Mustang Athletics has some new faces leading its teams this fall.

Women's Basketball Coach Brenda Nichols comes to WNMU with extensive experience coaching both collegiate and high school teams. Her playing career included two years at Sam Houston, from 1987-89, where was the leading scorer for the 18-9 Sam Houston squad in 1988. Nichols also spent two years as an NJCAA All-American at Western Texas Junior College, where she holds the record for most points scored in a game with 44, a feat she accomplished twice. Her 17.8 career scoring average stands as the second-highest mark in Sam Houston women's basketball history. In 2014 she was inducted to the Sam Houston Athletics Hall of Honor.

Nichols earned her undergraduate degree from Sam Houston in physical education in 1989, and her master's at the University of West Florida in 1992. Nichols also earned her minor in art and is a published children's book illustrator.

Executive Director of Athletics Scott Noble said he was excited to welcome Nichols to WNMU. "Coach Nichols brings not only great basketball experience at several levels, but also building winning programs," he said. "She has a rich history in the state of Texas and is very familiar with the Lone Star Conference. We are all excited for Coach Nichols to begin her tenure here at WNMU and the upcoming women's basketball season."

Nichols said she was looking forward to the experience. "It's a great privilege to be able to coach in the Lone Star Conference, which is one of the best NCAA Division II conferences in the country," she said. "I am fired up and ready to become part of the WNMU and Silver City community."

The Men's and Women's Golf teams also have new leadership this year. WNMU Alum Harry O'Callahan ('21) has taken over the spot left by the retirement of Kent Beatty, who led the teams for 27 years.

O'Callahan's experience with the university includes a four-year career as a player and two years as a Graduate Assistant. During his athletic career, O'Callaghan maintained a near-perfect GPA, and gained many honors including his induction into the WNMU student Hall of Fame and being named GCAA Academic All-American three times. In 2023, O'Callaghan was named WNMU's first full time Assistant Golf Coach.

"We were very fortunate to have one of our own leading our men's and women's golf programs," said Noble. "Watching Harry develop over his career from student-athlete and up the coaching ladder, I knew we had a good one. His experience at our institution, the LSC, and the NCAA DII level has certainly given him the knowledge and confidence to be successful, and our student-athletes respect and support him."

Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations Josh Brown contributed to this story.