The Lafayette head boys basketball coach and an assistant coach were approved for hire after the Board of Education Work Session on Wednesday.

Lafayette High School announced Ryan Nichols as head boys basketball coach and Michael Gholston Jr. as assistant coach.

“Coach Nichols will be a great fit for our program,” said Dr. Tyran Sumy, Lafayette principal. “We look forward to Coach Nichols and Coach Gholston joining our storied basketball program. We are proud to welcome them to our northside family.”

Nichols has been the head basketball coach at Oak Park High School since 2012. In his first year, Oak Park improved from a 5-win team to 11 wins. Nichols also groomed several players for the college ranks. From 2009-2012, Nichols was the head coach at DeKalb High School, and led the team to two district and sectional championships, set a school record of 26 wins, and finished with a seventh place ranking in his final season.

Nichols holds a Masters of Science in Education from Rockhurst University, and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2004.

“I have always admired the tradition, pride, and success of the Lafayette basketball program,” said Coach Nichols. “What Chris, Daryl, and the players have accomplished over the last nine years has been incredible. I’m honored to have the opportunity to carry the torch for this great program and its rich history.”

Michael Gholston, Jr. is currently the head junior varsity and assistant varsity coach at Raytown South High School. During the 2014-15 school year, he served as head junior varsity basketball coach and assistant varsity for Oak Park High School.

Gholston holds a Masters of Science in Sport Studies and Athletic Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and received his BA in Communications Studies from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2012.