Sam Nichols Bio, Age, Wife, Family, Height, KTAB, Net Worth, Salary

Sam Nichols is an American television meteorologist and former college basketball coach who served as chief meteorologist at KTAB-TV, the CBS affiliate in Abilene, Texas, for more than two decades. A lifelong Abilene resident, he is one of the most recognizable weather voices in West Central Texas and, before his broadcasting career, was the winningest women’s basketball coach in McMurry University history.

Nichols announced his retirement from KTAB in February 2026, set to sign off on April 20, 2026, after 21 years of delivering the forecast to the Big Country. Beyond the weather, he is the founder of Basketball Smiles, a nonprofit that has served more than 12,000 children through free basketball camps in the Bahamas. His rare second act as a broadcaster following a hall-of-fame coaching career has made him a beloved local figure.

Sam Nichols Quick Facts

Viewers who search for Sam Nichols often also look up fellow KTAB and Abilene news personalities, along with other Texas meteorologists and figures connected to McMurry University athletics.

Early Life and Education

Sam Nichols is a lifelong resident of Abilene, Texas, and the only Abilene-born meteorologist working in the city at the time of his retirement. He attended McMurry University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and later earned a Master of Education from Abilene Christian University. He holds a Mid-Management Certificate in School Administration and a Lifetime Teaching Certificate from the State of Texas.

The values Nichols carried through both his coaching and broadcasting careers, he has said, came from his father, who taught him lessons in wit, work ethic and wisdom that shaped his character for life.

Career Journey

A Hall of Fame Coaching Career

Before television, Nichols spent 33 years coaching women’s basketball, beginning in 1972. He started at the high school level, establishing 15 twenty-win seasons with 12 playoff appearances and a state championship in 1980, coaching 12 All-State players and multiple high school All-Americans. When he arrived at Abilene High School in 1987, he turned a 9-17 first-season record into a run of winning teams through the mid-1990s, including a district championship in 1991-92. He tallied a 70 percent win record across his 21-year high school coaching career.

In 1995, Nichols began coaching at his alma mater, McMurry University, where his 199 wins exceeded those of the school’s four previous coaches combined. He compiled a career record of 637-300, winning 68 percent of his games, and in his final two seasons the Lady Indians finished 50-8. When he retired from coaching in 2007, he was the all-time winningest women’s basketball coach in McMurry history, with four All-Americans and more than 33 team records to his credit.

A Second Career in Weather

Nichols transitioned to television in the mid-2000s, becoming chief meteorologist at KTAB-TV in Abilene. Over more than two decades he became one of the region’s most recognizable weather voices in the “Big Country,” frequently going live on Facebook during severe weather events and building a professional following of more than 20,000 people. He was voted “Favorite TV Weather Person” multiple times in the Abilene Reporter-News Readers’ Choice Awards and received the “Bell” Award from the Texas Retired Teachers Association for outstanding media coverage of education issues.

Basketball Smiles and Retirement

In 1999, Nichols founded Basketball Smiles, a nonprofit that provides free basketball camps in inner-city neighborhoods in the Bahamas. The organization celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024 and has served more than 12,000 children, making it one of the largest free basketball camps in the Caribbean. In 2013, the East Nassau Bahamas Rotary Club named him a Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions to children through the program.

Nichols announced his retirement from KTAB in February 2026 and is set to anchor his final weathercast on April 20, 2026. In 2017 he was inducted into the McMurry University Athletic Hall of Honor, and in 2026 the university named the “Sam Nichols Court” in his honor and inducted him into its Legends Corner.

Sam Nichols Career Stats

• 33 years coaching women’s basketball, beginning in 1972
• Career coaching record of 637-300, a 68 percent win rate
• 199 wins as head coach at McMurry University
• Chief meteorologist at KTAB for 21 years (2005–2026)
• Founder of Basketball Smiles, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024

Personal Life

Nichols is married to Sandy Nichols, and the couple are active in several local charitable efforts. Sandy serves as a board member and treasurer of Basketball Smiles, and both are members of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. The couple enjoy activities with their children and grandchildren, and Nichols has said he looks forward to more time with family and more time at the golf course in retirement.

• Married to Sandy Nichols, an active community volunteer
• Sandy serves as treasurer of the Basketball Smiles board
• Father and grandfather who values family above all
• Selected for the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command Civic Leaders Program

Dating History and Affairs

Sam Nichols has had a long and stable marriage to Sandy Nichols, and there is no record of any previous high-profile relationships or controversies. His personal life is centered on family and community service rather than public attention.

Controversies

Sam Nichols has no documented personal or professional controversies. He is widely respected in Abilene for both his coaching legacy and his decades of community-minded broadcasting, and he retired from KTAB on warm terms.

Awards and Achievements

• All-time winningest women’s basketball coach in McMurry history
• Inducted into the McMurry University Athletic Hall of Honor (2017)
• Named to the McMurry women’s basketball All-Century Team
• “Sam Nichols Court” named in his honor (2026)
• Multiple “Favorite TV Weather Person” awards in the Abilene Reporter-News Readers’ Choice Awards

Physical Statistics

Nichols maintains a familiar, approachable on-air presence, typically seen in professional attire with gray hair. He does not publicly share his height or weight. A former athlete and coach, he stays active through golf and his community activities.

Quotes

“I have had such a great time over these past 21 years, having the pleasure and honor of serving the people of the Big Country.” — Sam Nichols

“It’s been a great ride, but it’s time to hand the weather clicker over to someone else.” — Sam Nichols

Favorites

• Favorite Sport: Basketball — both playing and coaching
• Favorite Pastime: Golf
• Favorite Cause: Basketball Smiles and children’s charities
• Favorite Thing About His Job: Serving the people of the Big Country

Earnings and Net Worth

Sam Nichols’s net worth is estimated at between $500,000 and $1 million. His income has come from two distinguished careers: decades as a college basketball coach and more than two decades as KTAB’s chief meteorologist. His local television salary, combined with his coaching history and community standing, has provided financial stability, and he is set to enjoy a well-earned retirement focused on family and golf.

Interesting Facts

• He is the only Abilene-born meteorologist in Abilene
• He won a state championship as a high school basketball coach in 1980
• His 637 career coaching wins reflect a 68 percent winning rate
• He founded Basketball Smiles, reaching more than 12,000 children
• A basketball court at McMurry is named in his honor

Did You Know Already?

• Did you know that Sam Nichols spent 33 years coaching women’s basketball before becoming a meteorologist?
• Did you know that he is the winningest coach in McMurry history?
• Did you know that he founded a free basketball camp in the Bahamas?
• Did you know that he retired from KTAB in April 2026?

Social Media Links

• Facebook: Sam Nichols (KTAB Chief Meteorologist)
• Twitter/X: Available under his name
• Website: Basketball Smiles nonprofit

FAQ

Conclusion

Sam Nichols is a rare figure who succeeded in two very different careers. He won hundreds of basketball games and built a lasting coaching legacy at McMurry before reinventing himself as the trusted weather voice of the Big Country. His charitable work through Basketball Smiles has touched thousands of children’s lives. As he steps away in 2026, his legacy in Abilene is secure. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with fellow Texas news and sports fans!