Nicole Fawcett is quickly working up the college coaching ladder.
Fawcett, the former Benjamin Logan star volleyball player who went on to shine at Penn State University and the international level, was promoted on Friday to a full-time assistant coach within the Ohio State University volleyball program.
Fawcett previously served as a volunteer assistant for the Buckeyes.
“Nicole has been an integral piece of our staff since she joined our program in 2020,” said OSU head volleyball coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg in a press release. “I am excited for the opportunity to promote her into a full-time position. Her knowledge of the game and conference, combined with her ability to relate to our student-athletes and recruits, has helped build our new foundation of Buckeye Volleyball and will continue to elevate our program in the national landscape.”
With Fawcett’s help, the Buckeyes finished with a 27-6 overall record and a 15-5 Big Ten record this fall, earning the opportunity to host the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2015 season. OSU won its way to the Sweet 16 for the second-consecutive season and 18th time in program history.
The Buckeyes earned five ranked wins, three of which were against top-10 opponents, and broke the program record for consecutive weeks (14) ranked in the AVCA poll’s top 10. Ohio State earned three All-American nods after landing five on the AVCA All-Region Team and five earning All-Big Ten honors.
In the spring 2021 season and Fawcett’s first with the team due to rescheduling, Ohio State finished 16-4 and went 15-3 in conference matches. The Buckeyes advanced to the regional semifinals with a sweep against Missouri. This Sweet 16 appearance came after three years of missing the NCAA Tournament and immediately after a 2019 season below .500.
Two Buckeyes earned All- American recognition, while three made the All-Region list and five student-athletes were named All-Big Ten. Fawcett worked with spring 2021 Big Ten Coach of the Year Oldenburg on the turnaround campaign.
Fawcett, a 2009 Penn State graduate, was a unanimous selection for the All-Big Ten First Team every year at PSU and a four-time AVCA All-American (three-time first-team selection). The 2008 AVCA and Big Ten Player of the Year won two national championships with the Nittany Lions (2007, 2008) to wrap up a collegiate career that began with her being named AVCA and Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2005. She was the national player of the year as a senior.