From 1982 to 1985, Nichols played collegiate soccer at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.
In 1986, Nichols signed with the Garland Genesis of the Southwest Indoor Soccer League.
Nichols went on to score 47 goals and add 15 assists as the Genesis won the league championship.
In 1987, Nichols moved to the Canton Invaders of the American Indoor Soccer Association.
In 1990, he signed with the Dallas Sidekicks of the Major Indoor Soccer League where he spent one season.