ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – One of Missouri Western Athletics' most storied programs has a new leader.
 
Director of Athletics Andy Carter has announced the hiring of Nicole Thompson as the seventh head softball coach in program history. 
 
"We are excited to welcome Nicole and her family to the Griffon family," Carter said. "She is a proven head coach, a proven culture-builder and a proven winner in all aspects on and off the field. I am confident that she will be able to continue the success from the foundation that is already in place and re-establish our program amongst the MIAA's elite."
 
 Thompson comes to Missouri Western from NCAA Division II Regis University in Colorado, and is fresh off a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Tournament championship and an NCAA South Central Regional appearance in 2024. In her five seasons at the helm of Regis, Thompson compiled a 132-101 overall record, leading the Rangers to 33 wins or more in each of the last three seasons. Her 2024 squad swept their way to the RMAC Tournament title as a five seed and earned the program's first NCAA Tournament berth since 2015. The Rangers also then defeated #1 nationally ranked West Texas A&M in the tournament's opening round. 
 
"I am extremely excited and grateful to be joining Griffon Nation," Thompson said. "I want to thank Andy Carter and the entire MWSU athletic department for giving me this opportunity to lead a such a tradition-rich program. From the minute I got on campus and met with administration, it was clear that we shared the same collective passion and drive. I am ready to get to St. Joseph and get to work."
 
Prior to Regis, the Loveland, Colorado native spent three seasons as the head softball coach at NAIA Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky.. Thompson compiled an overall record of 82-70, while her Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) record was a remarkable 50-20. She guided her team to third-place finishes in 2017 and 2018, earning AAC Coach of the Year honors in 2017. 
 
Thompson had quite the unique start to her coaching career. Originally accepting a position as the Assistant Director for Communications at Union College in February of 2016, Thompson served as the Interim Head Coach beginning in September of 2016 before being named the full-time head coach.
 
In May of 2016, Thompson completed her Master's Degree in Athletics Administration as a Graduate Assistant for Sports Information at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri.
 
Thompson was a dual-sport athlete in college, competing in both softball and basketball for Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. As a softball player, she was a three-time All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) First Team selection at shortstop. Her team won two KCAC regular season championships, and one KCAC Tournament title, making two NAIA National Tournament appearances (2012, 2013). Thompson ended her collegiate career with a .362 average, .394 slugging percentage, 203 hits, and 61 RBIs. She ranks second in Bethany history with 87 career stolen bases and fourth all-time in runs scored with 128.
 
Thompson is married to JT Thompson and has a daughter named Kramer.