A 2004 graduate of Colgate University with a BA in Education, Nicholson comes to Robert Morris after coaching two years at Division III Adrian College. A start up program in the 2007-08 season, Adrian College went on to win MCHA regular season and playoff championships during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons for a combined record of 53-4-1.

“Matt brings an incredible amount of enthusiasm and passion to the game of hockey,” said head coach Derek Schooley.  “He was a successful student athlete at Colgate and part of building a top ranked Division III program at Adrian. Matt has played for and worked with some very good coaches so we will be excited to bring some new and fresh ideas to RMU.”

While at Colgate, the London, Ontario native played 123 games and recorded two career goals and 10 assists. After graduation, he participated in the Phoenix Coyote’s NHL Rookie camp and went on to sign with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League (CHL) for the 2004-05 season. In 2005-06, Nicholson joined the Youngstown Steelhounds of the CHL for his final professional season before his career was cut short due to injury.

While coaching at Adrian, Nicholson started his own charitable foundation, "The Matt Nicholson Foundation."  The organization is dedicated to serving programs that promote athletics as a positive outlet for local youth.