Eastern Michigan Athletics
If You Build it, They Will Come: Nusseibeh Secure's 2024-25 Coaching Staff
5/16/2024 2:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
John Nicolais and Emily Hays Arrive to Ypsilanti with a combined 25+ years of experience
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball program and Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh announced the hiring of its two newest assistant coaches, today, May 16.
Joining Nusseibeh for the 2024-25 basketball season along with assistant coaches Shareese Ulis-McBrayer and Meg Cunningham are John Nicolais (pronounced NICK-oh-lay) and Emily Hays. The two hires were welcomed to Ypsilanti and began their assisting duties earlier in the week as the fully-staffed squad will participate in active recruiting all for the first time under the Green and White this upcoming weekend.
"John [Nicolais] brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Eastern women's program that will elevate us immediately," Nusseibeh said. "He has created and maintained a high level of success throughout his career and he knows what is required to win, both on and off the court. John's reputation is one of high character, hard work, and quality relationships with those he coaches and works with. We are thrilled to welcome John and his family, Kerri, Harper, and Hailey to the Eastern family."
Honing his coaching skills for 20-plus years prior, Nicolais arrived to Ypsilanti after previously serving as the interim head coach of the Youngstown State University women's basketball program in 2023-24 in what was his 11th season in Youngstown. He previously served as an Associate Head Coach and an assistant coach with John Barnes from 2013-14 through 2022-23.
Throughout his tenure as an assistant at YSU, Nicolais was in charge of game scheduling, assisting with player development, game preparation and opponent scouting. He also served as a liaison to the strength and conditioning coach, oversaw the male practice squad and was active in the recruiting process. He assumed a larger role in the team's defensive strategy prior to the 2018-19 season when he took on duties as associate head coach.
The Penguins enjoyed an impressive stretch of success since Nicolais arrived on campus with Barnes in 2013. Youngstown State played in a postseason tournament five times and was on the WBCA Top 25 Academic Honor Roll 10 times, and it reached a new height in 2021-22 by winning the first Horizon League regular-season title in school history.
Nicolais and the Penguins battled through adversity in a challenging 2023-24 season to still post 14 wins overall and nine Horizon League victories. Nicolais was named acting head coach when Barnes went on personal family leave on Oct. 2, shortly after the start of official practice, and he served as the program's interim head coach after Barnes officially resigned on Jan. 19.
The Penguins went on a surge over the second half of the season and had a chance to finish as high as fourth in the conference standings entering the final week of the regular season. After starting 6-12, Youngstown State went 8-6 down the stretch, including going 5-2 in February and posting the program's first victory in the Horizon League tournament since 2019. Four of those five victories in February were on the road, and YSU beat IUPUI 73-50 in the first round of the tournament.
On the individual level before he became interim head coach, Nicolais helped develop seven players who have set school records. Among the student-athletes Nicolais directly worked with in player development are Liz Hornberger, Nikki Arbanas, Sarah Cash, Alison Smolinski, Indiya Benjamin, Chelsea Olson and Maddie Schires.
The Penguins entered the 2022-23 season with high expectations, and they posted 19 wins overall and 13 Horizon League victories in 2022-23. It was the fifth time in Nicolais' tenure that the Penguins won at least 19 games, and YSU won at least 13 Horizon League contests for the third time in the last five seasons.
In 2021-22, YSU captured the program's first regular-season conference title in 23 years. Youngstown State finished the season 24-7, winning at least 24 games for the third time in program history and for the first time since 1997-98. After an 8-0 start, YSU followed a loss at Penn State with a seven-game winning streak from Dec. 17 through Jan. 14. YSU then had a five-game winning streak in February, giving the Penguins three separate winning streaks of at least five games for the second season in school history (also in 1996-97). YSU set a new school record for conference wins with 18, and the Penguins also tied the Horizon League record for conference wins, matching IUPUI in 2021-22 and Green Bay in 2008-09 and 2010-11. At 9-0, YSU had its best start ever to conference play.
YSU's success was fueled on the defensive end of the floor. The Penguins held opponents to 57.2 points per game for their best scoring defense since joining the Division I level in 1981-82. Further, YSU's field-goal percentage defense was its best in 27 years. As a result, Lilly Ritz and Mady Aulbach were both voted to the Horizon League's five-member All-Defensive Team.
In his second year with the program, the Penguins reached the WNIT for just the second time in the program's history. YSU won 21 games in 2014-15 and were 10-0 for the first time at the Division I level. Fifth-year senior Latisha Walker, a member of Nicolais' individual group, set career highs with 10.4 points and 7.4 rebounds and ranked in the top three in the conference in free-throw percentage, blocks and field-goal percentage.
In the staff's first season in 2013-14, the Penguins overachieved to finish third in the Horizon League and advance to the semifinals of the conference tournament. A hungry group of seniors helped YSU win its first six Horizon League games and earn a regular-season sweep of Green Bay.
Nicolais came to Youngstown as a highly-respected assistant at the Division II level over the previous 10 years. He helped Drury University to 101 wins over a five-year span, and he spent five years at Glenville State when the Lady Pioneers went 145-22. Nicolais' teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament nine times in his 10 seasons.
Nicolais was responsible for working with the Drury perimeter players and coached two All-Americans and a squad that was consistently among the best in 3-point shooting percentage. During the 2009-10 season, Drury led the country in field-goal percentage (.491) and 3-point field-goal percentage (.453). Katie Pritchard led Division II in 3-point field goal percentage in 2009-10 (.505) and 2010-11 (.492), and teammate and All-American Lindsay Ballweg ranked second in the country in 3-point shooting in 2009-10 (.500).
Prior to joining Glenville State, Nicolais was an assistant coach at Gilmer County High School in Glenville, W.Va. His team in 2001 advanced to the state title game. Nicolais also served as head volleyball coach at Gilmer from 2000-03 and led his squad to a 115-47 record. The Titans advanced to the state semifinals in 2001 and 2003, and his 2003 squad won the West Virginia Class A State Championship with a 45-7 record. For his efforts, he was recognized as the West Virginia Coaches Association Region II Coach of the Year.
Nicolais is a native of Elizabeth, W. Va. His wife Carrie, an occupational therapist, and he reside in Canfield, Ohio, with their daughters, Harper and Hailey.
"Emily [Hays] will arrive in Ypsi and hit the ground running," Nusseibeh mentioned. "Her experience as recruiting coordinator while at Valparaiso will add value immediately as we re-establish strong connections within our region. Her time as a head coach previously will prove invaluable as we build our program. As a competitor on the court, a teammate in the workplace, and someone who prides herself in her relationships with her players, we are beyond excited to have Emily join our Eastern women's basketball family."
Joining the Eagles for the 2024-25 campaign, Hays came off a 2023-24 season as an assistant coach of the Valpo women's basketball program, her third, that saw the Beacons earn four conference victories highlighted by a 79-55 win over MVC member, Bradley University.
The 2022-23 season saw Valpo earn the first win in program history over perennial MVC power Missouri State. The Beacons also won three consecutive road games in Valley play, the first time the program accomplished that feat against three different opponents since 2007.
In her first season on campus, Hays helped lead Valpo to a 9-9 mark in MVC play and a sixth-place finish in the conference standings, both of which match the program's bests since joining the Valley. The Beacons registered the first win at Drake and the first win at Bradley in program history. Valpo swept the season series over Drake, the program's first two wins ever against the Bulldogs. The Beacons also tallied four top-100 wins within Valley play.
Hays arrived at Valpo after spending the last seven years as a head coach, including the last four at Dickinson College. Under Hays' guidance, Dickinson posted improved records in each of her three seasons, culminating with a 16-win campaign in 2019-20 which saw the Red Devils advance to the conference tournament semifinals. Dickinson did not compete in the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her three seasons, Hays coached four Red Devils players to a total of five All-Conference accolades, including a trio of honorees following the 2019-20 season. Kate Deutsch was named Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year and D3Hoops.com Mid-Atlantic Rookie of the Year for 2018-19 as well.
Prior to arriving at Dickinson, Hays served as head coach at Hiram College for three seasons. She led the Terriers to a school-record 17 wins in 2016-17 in her final season at the helm and saw the team surpass the program record for conference victories in each of her final two years.
Hays started her coaching career at her alma mater, Washington & Jefferson College, where she spent four seasons as an assistant coach. She helped guide the Presidents to consecutive 20-win campaigns in her final two years on staff in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
A 2009 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, Hays was a three-time All-Conference selection on the hardwood and was Presidents Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a First Team All-Region honoree as a senior. During her playing career, the Presidents earned 89 victories and were ranked in the nation's top-25 in three of her four seasons.
Fans are encouraged to keep their eyes on EMUEagles.com and the team's social media handles @EMUWBB for all the latest updates on the program, including future announcements about Nusseibeh's coaching staff, additions to the roster, and season ticket information.
Joining Nusseibeh for the 2024-25 basketball season along with assistant coaches Shareese Ulis-McBrayer and Meg Cunningham are John Nicolais (pronounced NICK-oh-lay) and Emily Hays. The two hires were welcomed to Ypsilanti and began their assisting duties earlier in the week as the fully-staffed squad will participate in active recruiting all for the first time under the Green and White this upcoming weekend.
"John [Nicolais] brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Eastern women's program that will elevate us immediately," Nusseibeh said. "He has created and maintained a high level of success throughout his career and he knows what is required to win, both on and off the court. John's reputation is one of high character, hard work, and quality relationships with those he coaches and works with. We are thrilled to welcome John and his family, Kerri, Harper, and Hailey to the Eastern family."
Honing his coaching skills for 20-plus years prior, Nicolais arrived to Ypsilanti after previously serving as the interim head coach of the Youngstown State University women's basketball program in 2023-24 in what was his 11th season in Youngstown. He previously served as an Associate Head Coach and an assistant coach with John Barnes from 2013-14 through 2022-23.
Throughout his tenure as an assistant at YSU, Nicolais was in charge of game scheduling, assisting with player development, game preparation and opponent scouting. He also served as a liaison to the strength and conditioning coach, oversaw the male practice squad and was active in the recruiting process. He assumed a larger role in the team's defensive strategy prior to the 2018-19 season when he took on duties as associate head coach.
The Penguins enjoyed an impressive stretch of success since Nicolais arrived on campus with Barnes in 2013. Youngstown State played in a postseason tournament five times and was on the WBCA Top 25 Academic Honor Roll 10 times, and it reached a new height in 2021-22 by winning the first Horizon League regular-season title in school history.
Nicolais and the Penguins battled through adversity in a challenging 2023-24 season to still post 14 wins overall and nine Horizon League victories. Nicolais was named acting head coach when Barnes went on personal family leave on Oct. 2, shortly after the start of official practice, and he served as the program's interim head coach after Barnes officially resigned on Jan. 19.
The Penguins went on a surge over the second half of the season and had a chance to finish as high as fourth in the conference standings entering the final week of the regular season. After starting 6-12, Youngstown State went 8-6 down the stretch, including going 5-2 in February and posting the program's first victory in the Horizon League tournament since 2019. Four of those five victories in February were on the road, and YSU beat IUPUI 73-50 in the first round of the tournament.
On the individual level before he became interim head coach, Nicolais helped develop seven players who have set school records. Among the student-athletes Nicolais directly worked with in player development are Liz Hornberger, Nikki Arbanas, Sarah Cash, Alison Smolinski, Indiya Benjamin, Chelsea Olson and Maddie Schires.
The Penguins entered the 2022-23 season with high expectations, and they posted 19 wins overall and 13 Horizon League victories in 2022-23. It was the fifth time in Nicolais' tenure that the Penguins won at least 19 games, and YSU won at least 13 Horizon League contests for the third time in the last five seasons.
In 2021-22, YSU captured the program's first regular-season conference title in 23 years. Youngstown State finished the season 24-7, winning at least 24 games for the third time in program history and for the first time since 1997-98. After an 8-0 start, YSU followed a loss at Penn State with a seven-game winning streak from Dec. 17 through Jan. 14. YSU then had a five-game winning streak in February, giving the Penguins three separate winning streaks of at least five games for the second season in school history (also in 1996-97). YSU set a new school record for conference wins with 18, and the Penguins also tied the Horizon League record for conference wins, matching IUPUI in 2021-22 and Green Bay in 2008-09 and 2010-11. At 9-0, YSU had its best start ever to conference play.
YSU's success was fueled on the defensive end of the floor. The Penguins held opponents to 57.2 points per game for their best scoring defense since joining the Division I level in 1981-82. Further, YSU's field-goal percentage defense was its best in 27 years. As a result, Lilly Ritz and Mady Aulbach were both voted to the Horizon League's five-member All-Defensive Team.
In his second year with the program, the Penguins reached the WNIT for just the second time in the program's history. YSU won 21 games in 2014-15 and were 10-0 for the first time at the Division I level. Fifth-year senior Latisha Walker, a member of Nicolais' individual group, set career highs with 10.4 points and 7.4 rebounds and ranked in the top three in the conference in free-throw percentage, blocks and field-goal percentage.
In the staff's first season in 2013-14, the Penguins overachieved to finish third in the Horizon League and advance to the semifinals of the conference tournament. A hungry group of seniors helped YSU win its first six Horizon League games and earn a regular-season sweep of Green Bay.
Nicolais came to Youngstown as a highly-respected assistant at the Division II level over the previous 10 years. He helped Drury University to 101 wins over a five-year span, and he spent five years at Glenville State when the Lady Pioneers went 145-22. Nicolais' teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament nine times in his 10 seasons.
Nicolais was responsible for working with the Drury perimeter players and coached two All-Americans and a squad that was consistently among the best in 3-point shooting percentage. During the 2009-10 season, Drury led the country in field-goal percentage (.491) and 3-point field-goal percentage (.453). Katie Pritchard led Division II in 3-point field goal percentage in 2009-10 (.505) and 2010-11 (.492), and teammate and All-American Lindsay Ballweg ranked second in the country in 3-point shooting in 2009-10 (.500).
Prior to joining Glenville State, Nicolais was an assistant coach at Gilmer County High School in Glenville, W.Va. His team in 2001 advanced to the state title game. Nicolais also served as head volleyball coach at Gilmer from 2000-03 and led his squad to a 115-47 record. The Titans advanced to the state semifinals in 2001 and 2003, and his 2003 squad won the West Virginia Class A State Championship with a 45-7 record. For his efforts, he was recognized as the West Virginia Coaches Association Region II Coach of the Year.
Nicolais is a native of Elizabeth, W. Va. His wife Carrie, an occupational therapist, and he reside in Canfield, Ohio, with their daughters, Harper and Hailey.
"Emily [Hays] will arrive in Ypsi and hit the ground running," Nusseibeh mentioned. "Her experience as recruiting coordinator while at Valparaiso will add value immediately as we re-establish strong connections within our region. Her time as a head coach previously will prove invaluable as we build our program. As a competitor on the court, a teammate in the workplace, and someone who prides herself in her relationships with her players, we are beyond excited to have Emily join our Eastern women's basketball family."
Joining the Eagles for the 2024-25 campaign, Hays came off a 2023-24 season as an assistant coach of the Valpo women's basketball program, her third, that saw the Beacons earn four conference victories highlighted by a 79-55 win over MVC member, Bradley University.
The 2022-23 season saw Valpo earn the first win in program history over perennial MVC power Missouri State. The Beacons also won three consecutive road games in Valley play, the first time the program accomplished that feat against three different opponents since 2007.
In her first season on campus, Hays helped lead Valpo to a 9-9 mark in MVC play and a sixth-place finish in the conference standings, both of which match the program's bests since joining the Valley. The Beacons registered the first win at Drake and the first win at Bradley in program history. Valpo swept the season series over Drake, the program's first two wins ever against the Bulldogs. The Beacons also tallied four top-100 wins within Valley play.
Hays arrived at Valpo after spending the last seven years as a head coach, including the last four at Dickinson College. Under Hays' guidance, Dickinson posted improved records in each of her three seasons, culminating with a 16-win campaign in 2019-20 which saw the Red Devils advance to the conference tournament semifinals. Dickinson did not compete in the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her three seasons, Hays coached four Red Devils players to a total of five All-Conference accolades, including a trio of honorees following the 2019-20 season. Kate Deutsch was named Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year and D3Hoops.com Mid-Atlantic Rookie of the Year for 2018-19 as well.
Prior to arriving at Dickinson, Hays served as head coach at Hiram College for three seasons. She led the Terriers to a school-record 17 wins in 2016-17 in her final season at the helm and saw the team surpass the program record for conference victories in each of her final two years.
Hays started her coaching career at her alma mater, Washington & Jefferson College, where she spent four seasons as an assistant coach. She helped guide the Presidents to consecutive 20-win campaigns in her final two years on staff in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
A 2009 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, Hays was a three-time All-Conference selection on the hardwood and was Presidents Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a First Team All-Region honoree as a senior. During her playing career, the Presidents earned 89 victories and were ranked in the nation's top-25 in three of her four seasons.
Fans are encouraged to keep their eyes on EMUEagles.com and the team's social media handles @EMUWBB for all the latest updates on the program, including future announcements about Nusseibeh's coaching staff, additions to the roster, and season ticket information.
Peyton Hill Freshman of the Year Highlights
Tuesday, March 10
Sisi Eleko All-MAC Second Team Highlights
Tuesday, March 10
No fly zone around P🛬🚫
Friday, March 06
2026 Women's Basketball Senior Ceremony Cinematic Recap
Thursday, March 05