Assistant Coach

Bio

Derek Nicholson is currently the Hitting Coordinator and Third Base Coach for the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros in Santa Barbara, California. This summer, “Dnic” was on the coaching staff of the CCL Walnut Creek Crawdads, working for Head Coach Brant Cummins. Before that, in the summer of 2023, “Dnic” served in the same role for the Long Beach Legends under Vincent Chavez, helping guide the team to a League championship. From 2017 to 2022, Derek coached at Peninsula High School in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He served as Head Coach of the Peninsula Panthers baseball program for three seasons and worked as an assistant under Brian Bowles for the other years. Before joining the Panthers, Derek worked with Evan Fujinaga at Palos Verdes High School, focusing on hitters and offensive game strategy for the Sea Kings. In the summer of 2013, Derek joined the Alaska Collegiate Baseball League as a Hitting Instructor for the Fairbanks GoldPanners, whose offense went on to secure the 2013 Alaska League Title. Earlier in his coaching career, Derek started at LA Harbor Junior College in Wilmington, California, in the fall 2009, as an Assistant Coach under Marco Avilar. By May 2010, he was announced as the Head Baseball Coach at LA Harbor. Over two seasons, Derek and his staff developed 26 student-athletes who transferred to universities to continue playing baseball and pursuing their education, with 16 competing at the Division I level. After compiling an overall record of 27-45, Derek resigned from LA Harbor in July 2012.

Born in Torrance, California, and raised in Redondo Beach before moving to the West Torrance area, Derek had a standout playing career at West Torrance High School under Harry Jenkins. His achievements included being named a High School All-American, Daily Breeze and Los Angeles Times Player of the Year (1993), and an All-CIF First Team selection as both a junior and senior. A three-time All-Pioneer League First Team honoree, Derek also earned MVP and Most Outstanding awards during two league campaigns.

Following high school, Derek was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 50th round of the June 1994 MLB Draft. However, he chose to attend Los Angeles Harbor Junior College, where he excelled under Tony Bloomfield. His stellar two seasons earned him All-Conference, All-State, and All-American honors and led to a scholarship at the University of Florida. At Florida, to play for Andy Lopez, Derek was an All-Southeastern Conference performer and made headlines by hitting for the cycle in consecutive SEC series. His game-winning hit in the 11th inning of the South 1 Regional in Gainesville secured his team’s spot in the 1998 College World Series.

Derek was selected by the Houston Astros in the 16th round of the 1998 MLB Draft. Over his 12-year professional career, after 3 seasons in single A with Houston, He was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 Minor League Draft and climbed as high as Triple A. Derek won championships at multiple levels, including the New York-Penn League (1998), Midwest League (2000), and Texas League (2006). Additionally, he played three winter seasons in Venezuela, winning the Venezuelan League Championship in 2001 with Navegantes del Magallanes and earning a spot in the Caribbean World Series and played in the prestigious Arizona Fall League.

Now residing in Santa Barbara, California, Derek is the proud father of two children: Daniel (14) and Madison (11).