Brian Claypool was announced as the 18th head coach of the Nichols College softball program on June 3rd, 2026.
Claypool brings more than 25 years of collegiate coaching experience to The Hill, including head coaching stops at Anna Maria College, Rhode Island College, the College of the Holy Cross, Hartwick College, and MCLA, along with Division I assistant coaching experience at UMass Lowell and Towson University. Most recently, Claypool served as head coach at Anna Maria College, where he helped improve the team's offensive production and overall culture during the 2025-26 season. The AMCATS raised their team batting average from .227 to .274, increased their home run total from two to 14, and improved their stolen base total from five to 46.
Prior to Anna Maria, Claypool spent four seasons as the hitting and data analytics coach at UMass Lowell. During his tenure, the River Hawks recorded the program's highest Division I win total, reached the America East Championship Game in 2024, and led the conference in batting average and runs per game in 2022. He also coached multiple All-Conference performers, and helped implement advanced analytics tools including Synergy, Blast, and GoRout. Claypool also served as head coach at Rhode Island College from 2018-21, where he guided the Anchorwomen to major offensive improvements and helped the program achieve a 3.52 team GPA in 2021. He also spent nine seasons leading the Holy Cross softball program, earning Patriot League Coach of the Year honors in 2011 while guiding the Crusaders to their first Patriot League Tournament appearance in a decade.
Throughout his career, Claypool has coached numerous All-Conference and All-Region student-athletes while emphasizing academic success and player development.
Claypool earned a Master of Education in Athletic Counseling from Springfield College and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the College of Wooster.
