Jim Nicholson

James Albert Nicholson (July 13, 1906 – May 8, 1983) was an American football player and coach. He was the first full-time head football coach at the University of Toledo, serving from 1930 to 1935, and compiling a record of 20–16–4.

Early life Nicholson attended Denison University, where he played center for the school's football team and was captain of the 1926 squad. He also played center for the Big Red basketball team and ran the half mile for the track team. In 1934, Nicholson married Kathleen Covert, a public school teacher. They had four sons. He also served as the city's superintendent of playgrounds.

In 1930, Nicholson accepted the head coaching position at Toledo, as it would provide him with enough money to attend law school. During his first season, the Rockets lost their first five games and Nicholson dismissed five players for lack of effort. The school canceled the 1931 football season because the funds for the football team were impounded in closed banks. Toledo finished the year with a 6–2–1; its best record to that point. In 1960, the company merged with the Toledo Plaster & Supply Co. to form Nicholson Concrete & Supply Co. In 1968, he was succeeded as president by his son, J. Patrick Nicholson, but remained involved with the company as an advisor.

Fundraising Nicholson led the fundraising drive for the construction of St. Francis de Sales School and also led four tax increase campaigns – one to benefit the University and three to benefit public schools.

Head coaching record