Dean Nichols is entering his 9th year at the helm of the Framingham State men's soccer program and in his first eight seasons he has turned the Framingham State University men's soccer team into one of the most competitive programs in New England. Under Coach Nichols the Rams have won a pair of MASCAC Regular Season Championships, a MASCAC Tournament Championship and made three post season appearances with one trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament and a pair of bids to the ECAC Championship tournaments most recently in 2010.

In 2008 Nichols led the Rams to their second consecutive MASCAC Regular Season title, as the Rams finished 6-0-1 in the conference, and their first MASCAC Post Season Tournament Championship.  The Rams made the program's second appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament where they battled Middlebury College to a 0-0 double overtime tie but were eliminated on penalty kicks.  The Rams finished the 2008 season 16-3-2 and set new FSU records for wins in a season, winning percentage, and shutouts in a season.

In 2007 Nichols guided the Rams to the MASCAC Regular Season Championship and at the time a school record 14 wins, surpassing the 2006 Rams who had 11 victories. The Rams were selected the second seed in the ECAC New England Division III Men's Soccer Championship where they advanced to the semifinals.  Under Coach Nichols in 2004, the Rams were tied for fifth on the NCAA's list of the most improved teams in Division III.  In 2004 the Rams also qualified for the MASCAC Tournament for the first time in school history.  Nichols is a graduate of Fitchburg State College where he was an outstanding soccer player for the Falcons.