ASU Softball: Head coach Nicholson resigns for medical reasons

(Photo: Alli Cline/WCSN)

Third-year Arizona State softball coach Craig Nicholson resigned from his position on Monday due to personal medical reasons, first reported by Jeff Metcalfe of The Arizona Republic.

According to ASU Athletic Director Ray Anderson, associate head coaches Letty Olivarez and Robert Wagner will serve as co-interim head coaches for the 2016 season, and the school will formally conduct a search for a new head coach after the season.

In a statement released by ASU, Wagner said he hopes to not allow the sudden change affect the team’s play on the field.

“The goals and support system are well in place to succeed in 2015-2016,” Wagner said. “Our staff feels this team had a chance to be special this year, and our goals remain the same.”

Wagner will enter his second season of his second stint with the team and primarily serves as the team’s hitting coach. Olivarez was hired in August to focus on coaching the team’s pitching staff.

Nicholson was preparing to build on back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in his first two seasons at Arizona State. He posted an 82-34-1 record in his two seasons at the helm of the Sun Devils.

Prior to coaching at ASU, Nicholson was the head coach for seven seasons at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. where he finished with a 241-162 record and three Mid-American Conference regular season championships.

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