Robert J. Nichols (July 10, 1930 – March 30, 2013) was an American college basketball coach.

He was known for his tenure as the head men’s coach for the University of Toledo.

He was hired as head coach for Central Catholic High School in Toledo in 1956, and in seven seasons as head coach compiled a record of 111–39.

[3] Nichols returned to coaching in 1989, where he first accepted the head coach position at Lake–Sumter Community College, but then reversed course and accepted the head women’s job at Eckerd College.

[4] Nichols coached at Eckerd for five seasons, resigning to take care of his wife after she was in a serious car accident.