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Oakland University softball coach Chris Stelma has agreed to fill the same position at UMBC, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement from the school. A request for comment from the athletic department went unanswered.
Stelma replaces Angie Nicholson, who was fired March 22. At that time, athletic director Tiffany D. Tucker informed players that Nicholson would no longer coach the team — just months after Nicholson’s three-year contract, which paid an annual base salary of $100,000, began Aug. 25.
Nicholson’s dismissal came five days after the university terminated her husband, Rick, an assistant coach. On two separate occasions earlier in March, Rick Nicholson brushed the chest of two female players while attempting to swat away insects, according to the parents of three players who spoke on condition of anonymity out of concerns that their daughters might face retaliation.
When the second player protested the contact, Nicholson scolded the player, according to one parent. He entered the dugout and threatened to cut the player, which an observer overheard and reported, two parents said. On March 17, Nicholson was informed that he was no longer needed.
A week after firing the Nicholsons, the Retrievers canceled the remainder of the softball season, citing “health and safety” concerns because the team did not have a full roster of players.
Stepping into the void is Stelma, who guided the Golden Grizzlies to overall records of 18-28 in 2025 and 25-24 in 2026 and Horizon League marks of 9-14 and 9-9, respectively.
Before his two-year stint at Oakland, Stelma wrapped up an eight-year tenure at Saint Peter’s with 96 victories, the second-most wins in program history. He upgraded a team that went 2-28 in 2021 by finishing 22-33 in 2022.
The next spring, Stelma led the Peacocks to a 30-21 record to forge the school’s first back-to-back 20-win campaigns and first 30-win season since 2002. From 2022 to 2024, Stelma shepherded St. Peter’s to 68 wins, the highest total in three years since 2003.
Whether Stelma can replicate that success at UMBC might depend on how quickly he can rebuild the roster. According to On3.com, seven players entered the transfer portal since May.
That group includes graduate student first baseman Taylor Nicholson and senior second baseman Kenzie Nicholson, Angie and Rick Nicholson’s two daughters; senior shortstop Amaya Carroll, a Hanover resident and Spalding graduate; freshman catcher Abbie Frisvold, a Laurel resident and Reservoir graduate; sophomore catcher Riley Gallagher; freshman pitcher Jayda Koontz; and senior third baseman Emily Riggs.
Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun.
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The sources spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement from the school. A request for comment from the athletic department went unanswered.
Stelma replaces Angie Nicholson, who was fired March 22. At that time, athletic director Tiffany D. Tucker informed players that Nicholson would no longer coach the team — just months after Nicholson’s three-year contract, which paid an annual base salary of $100,000, began Aug. 25.
Nicholson’s dismissal came five days after the university terminated her husband, Rick, an assistant coach. On two separate occasions earlier in March, Rick Nicholson brushed the chest of two female players while attempting to swat away insects, according to the parents of three players who spoke on condition of anonymity out of concerns that their daughters might face retaliation.
When the second player protested the contact, Nicholson scolded the player, according to one parent. He entered the dugout and threatened to cut the player, which an observer overheard and reported, two parents said. On March 17, Nicholson was informed that he was no longer needed.
A week after firing the Nicholsons, the Retrievers canceled the remainder of the softball season, citing “health and safety” concerns because the team did not have a full roster of players.
Stepping into the void is Stelma, who guided the Golden Grizzlies to overall records of 18-28 in 2025 and 25-24 in 2026 and Horizon League marks of 9-14 and 9-9, respectively.
Before his two-year stint at Oakland, Stelma wrapped up an eight-year tenure at Saint Peter’s with 96 victories, the second-most wins in program history. He upgraded a team that went 2-28 in 2021 by finishing 22-33 in 2022.
The next spring, Stelma led the Peacocks to a 30-21 record to forge the school’s first back-to-back 20-win campaigns and first 30-win season since 2002. From 2022 to 2024, Stelma shepherded St. Peter’s to 68 wins, the highest total in three years since 2003.
Whether Stelma can replicate that success at UMBC might depend on how quickly he can rebuild the roster. According to On3.com, seven players entered the transfer portal since May.
That group includes graduate student first baseman Taylor Nicholson and senior second baseman Kenzie Nicholson, Angie and Rick Nicholson’s two daughters; senior shortstop Amaya Carroll, a Hanover resident and Spalding graduate; freshman catcher Abbie Frisvold, a Laurel resident and Reservoir graduate; sophomore catcher Riley Gallagher; freshman pitcher Jayda Koontz; and senior third baseman Emily Riggs.
Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun.
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