DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College head men's basketball coach Scott Faucher has announced his resignation to accept the same position at NCAA Division II Assumption College.

Named to the 2019 Under Armour 30-Under-30 Team by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) last month, Faucher arrived in Dudley last August and guided the Bison to a 28-3 record and a third-straight Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship this past season. Nichols – which ripped off a program-record 17-game win streak in 2018-19 – became the first program at Nichols College to win three NCAA Tournament games in one season as it advanced to the 'Elite 8.' The Bison were a perfect 5-0 against schools from the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) this season, including wins over Middlebury (74-71) and Amherst (62-58) in the NCAA Tournament.

Nichols – which earned the No. 1 seed in the CCC Tournament for the sixth-straight season – ended the season tied with Wis.-Oshkosh for fourth in the NCAA in winning pct. (.903). The Bison also finished No. 7 in total rebounds (1,302), No. 19 in scoring margin (+13.6), No. 23 in turnover margin (4.1), No. 24 in scoring offense (87.5), No. 25 in three-pointers (289), and No. 31 in defensive rebounding (29.7).

"I want to thank Chris Colvin, Bill Boffi, Bill Pieczynski, Mike Stanton, and President Engelkemeyer for giving me an opportunity to lead the Nichols men's basketball program," said Faucher, who was introduced at a press conference at Assumption earlier today. "I can't put in to words how special this year was and how forever grateful I am to have had the opportunity to coach this group of incredible young men. It was great to witness the overwhelming support of our community during this season. I also want to thank our student-athletes for all of their hard work and for making this an unforgettable season. With the leadership of the current upperclassmen, the Nichols program will continue to compete on the national stage."

Faucher came to Nichols following four years as the full-time assistant coach at Bowdoin College, a member of NESCAC. The Bears compiled a record of 57-39 (.594 winning pct.) during a four-year run that saw them produce a NESCAC Player of the Year, NESCAC Rookie of the Year, and a Second Team All-NESCAC selection. He began his collegiate coaching career at Saint Michael's College in Burlington, Vt. when, just two months after receiving his diploma from Wheaton (MA) College, he was named an assistant coach for the Purple Knights – who, like Assumption, are a member of one of the strongest Division II conference in the nation, the Northeast 10.

"Scott Faucher inherited a very good Division III basketball team and helped transform it into a truly great team," said Nichols Director of Athletics Chris Colvin.  "This team will long be remembered for its success on the court and the impact it made within the community."

Associate Director of Athletics Eric Gobiel – who will assume the role of Interim Director of Athletics on June 1 – added, "I have no doubt that the Nichols men's basketball program will continue to thrive. This team is talented and resilient, and I fully expect that we will attract a strong pool of applicants just as we did a year ago.  I look forward to identifying the ideal person to lead Nichols men's basketball to continued success over the next several years."

A native of Lebanon, N.H., Faucher received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2013. He was a four-year member of the Lyons basketball program and appeared in 98 games during his career (28 starts). Away from the collegiate basketball scene, he founded and directed both the Lebanon Longhorns AAU program and the Drills for Skills program. He is the son of former Dartmouth College head coach Dave Faucher, who won 136 games for the Big Green from 1991-2004.

A national search will begin immediately for a new men's basketball coach. Interested candidates can submit an application HERE.