Bob Nichols' 377 victories easily make him the winningest basketball coach in the history of the Mid-American Conference. His teams recorded winning records in 20 of his 22 seasons including five consecutive 20-win campaigns (1977-81) and five MAC Championships. Nichols was named MAC coach of the year three times (1974, 79, 80) and is the only four-time winner of the Ohio College "Coach of the Year" award (1967, 72, 79, 80). His 377 -211 record gives Nichols the third best winning percentage (.642) in MAC history. Nichols' team often defeated nationally regarded opposition. Topping the list was the victory over Big Ten champion Iowa in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in 1979. During his tenure, Nichols' teams had several other wins over Big Ten teams, including the inaugural game in Savage Hall in 1976. In front of a standing room only crowd in excess of 9,000 Toledo defeated defending national champion Indiana, 59-57, snapping the Hoosiers 33 game winning streak. Nichols won his first MAC championship in 1966-67, as he Rockets posted a 23-2 record, best in school history. Titles followed in 1971-72, 1978-79, 1979-80, and 1980-81. He coached 12 All-MAC stars, including five players of the year. Nichols also lettered three years in basketball as a player (1951-53) and was co-captain of the 1952-53 team. He played on squads that were 23-8, 20-11 and 16-7.