CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University has named alumna Nicole Tyson as head coach of the Tigers' women's wrestling program.
Tyson returns to Campbellsville after previously serving as an assistant wrestling coach for the Tigers from 2017-19. She brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience to the program, along with a background shaped by national championship success as both a wrestler and coach.
"I'm honored to return to Campbellsville University to lead the women's wrestling program," Tyson said. "Campbellsville is a special place, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of a university that is committed to success while staying grounded to its Christian values. I'm excited to help our student-athletes grow in faith, character, and their pursuit of excellence."
Tyson is no stranger to national championship programs. A former standout at Oklahoma City University, she helped lead the Stars to three consecutive national championships from 2009-11. She later served as a graduate assistant at Missouri Baptist University from December 2012 to June 2013 and as an assistant coach at King University from June 2013 to December 2015.
At Missouri Baptist, Tyson coached six All-Americans while helping the Spartans place as high as seventh at the WCWA championship. At King, she coached four individual WCWA national champions, two national runners-up and 14 All-Americans. The Tornado won their first national title in 2013 and captured the NWCA National Duals championship in 2014 during her time with the program.
Tyson spent five seasons as head wrestling coach at Oklahoma City from 2019-24 before serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the Stars in 2024. She also served as the USA Wrestling Regional Training Center director and coach for the Oklahoma Women's Regional Training Center from 2024-25.
In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Tyson has held several leadership roles within the wrestling community. She has served as the Global Campaign Coordinator for Wrestling for Peace since 2024 and has been involved with cultural exchange programs through the U.S. Department of State. She also has served as a USA Wrestling U17, U20, U23 and Senior National Volunteer Coach since 2019.
Tyson's professional service includes roles with the NAIA Women's Wrestling Coaches Association, USAOA Ethics Committee, Sooner Athletic Conference and OKUSA Wrestling. She served as the NAIA-WWCA Executive Committee secretary from 2022-23 and second vice president from 2023-24.
As a wrestler at Oklahoma City, Tyson was a four-time All-American, three-time WCWA national finalist and 2011 WCWA national champion. She was a member of the Senior Pan American Team in 2011, finished as a Senior National finalist and qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials. She compiled a 70-16 career record with the Stars.
Tyson continued competing nationally and internationally after college, placing fourth at the 2015 Senior National Championships and fourth at the 2016 Olympic Trials.
Tyson earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Petree College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma City University in 2011. She was a Jim Wade Scholar-Athlete, Dean's List recipient and earned the Outstanding Senior Art Award in Photography. She later earned a Master of Management and Leadership from Campbellsville University in 2019.
Tyson takes over a Campbellsville program with a tradition of success in women's wrestling and will lead the Tigers into their next chapter.
