Water Valley Lands Veteran Coaches
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
New Water Valley School District coaches Gunner and Elizabeth Nichols are preparing for a new chapter both professionally and personally after accepting coaching and teaching positions at Water Valley High School. The husband-and-wife coaching duo plans to relocate to Yalobusha County and build a home near Tillatoba.
WATER VALLEY – The conversation turned serious during deer season last winter, when Gunner and Elizabeth Nichols sat in a deer stand on family land near Tillatoba contemplating building a house there and possibly making a future in Yalobusha County.
The coaching couple agreed the move would only happen if the right opportunity opened at Water Valley School District. Only weeks later, Gunner Nichols spotted the posted head softball coaching vacancy and reached out to Athletic Director Michael Hargett.
It was the Friday before the winter storm hit, and Gunner said he was willing to come to Water Valley that day for an interview if needed. During those conversations, discussions quickly expanded to include Elizabeth Nichols as a candidate for head cheer coach, and both were eventually offered positions in the district.
The move marks a major transition for both educators. Gunner Nichols, a Calhoun City native, comes to Water Valley with 15 years of coaching and teaching experience including the last six years at Winona School District. His softball team finished the season with a respectable 15-14 record in a tough division.
Elizabeth Nichols, a Winona native, spent the past seven years coaching and teaching in the same district alongside her mother, making the decision to leave especially emotional.
“It was hard,” Elizabeth Nichols said. “Everybody always said I was the girl who would never leave Winona.”
Now, the husband-and-wife coaching duo is preparing for a major transition both professionally and personally. Gunner Nichols has been hired as head softball and volleyball coach at Water Valley High School and will teach health, while Elizabeth Nichols will serve as head cheer coach, seventh grade math teacher and assistant volleyball coach.
At the same time, the couple plans to begin construction on a new home on family property as soon as their house in Winona sells.
“We always said that we wanted to build at Tillatoba,” Elizabeth Nichols said. “But we needed to be closer.”
The couple had a little familiarity with Water Valley through years of coaching when they faced the Blue Devils and were drawn to the community atmosphere.
“Just being here for games, we always liked the community and the small town,” Gunner Nichols said.
Elizabeth Nichols said the friendliness they experienced during early visits helped confirm the decision.
“One of our first times coming to see the school and visit, everybody was just so friendly,” she said. “It really just kind of drew us in.”
Both coaches arrive after successful runs at Winona School District. Elizabeth Nichols spent the past seven years there teaching and coaching cheer and dance, while Gunner Nichols helped build a powerful softball program as assistant coach and then head coach.
In addition to softball, Gunner Nichols also helped launch Winona’s volleyball program as the school’s inaugural head coach, building the team into a consistent playoff contender.
Gunner Nichols said he understands rebuilding a softball program takes time, patience and development at the younger levels. Water Valley softball has endured several difficult seasons in recent years, but Nichols believes the program has talent to build around.
“I guess you could say I’ve already done it at Winona,” he said. “When I came in, I think we won two or three games. Every year after that our win totals improved.”
Nichols said he has already seen encouraging signs from Water Valley’s returning players and believes the foundation is strong.
Elizabeth Nichols also plans to bring an energetic approach to the cheer program. A lifelong cheerleader and dancer, she competed in gymnastics as a child, cheered through high school and later competed collegiately at Holmes Community College and Delta State University, including appearances at national competitions.
Elizabeth Nichols also earned recognition as both Winona High School Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year in 2024.
She said one of her major goals is helping Water Valley return to competitive cheer while also increasing community involvement and school spirit.
“We’re hoping to push them and get back in the competitive scene,” she said. “Water Valley has won many titles in cheer.”
The cheer squad has already begun offseason workouts, with practices expected to increase after the school year ends. The team plans to attend summer camp in June before shifting focus toward competition season later this year.
Both coaches said they hope to build strong relationships with students while helping develop confidence both in the classroom and in competition.
“We enjoy coaching and we enjoy pouring into the students we’re a part of,” Elizabeth Nichols said. “We’ve learned that when you show up for them, they’re going to give you 10 times more.”
