Rick Nikunen’s long-standing tenure as head men’s basketball coach at Northland Community and Technical College began in 1998. Before that, Nikunen served as an assistant football coach, head men’s golf coach, head women’s golf coach, head softball coach, and head women’s basketball coach. Nikunen’s capstone season at Northland came during the 2006-2007 season when the Pioneers advanced to the NJCAA Division III National Championship game where they were defeated 74-68 by Sullivan County Community College (NY). The 2006-2007 team also set the school record for victories in a season, going 29-5 on the season.
Prior to arriving at Northland, Nikunen served as the head men’s basketball coach at McCook Community College (NJCAA, Division I) in McCook, Nebraska. Prior to Nikunen’s arrival, the men’s basketball program had not won a conference title in 15 years. The Indians captured a conference championship during the 1988-1989 season, then went on to add another conference title, also under Nikunen’s tutelage, during the 1990-1991 campaign. Also included on Nikunen’s coaching ledger, was a stint as the assistant men’s basketball coach at Mayville State (NAIA), located in Mayville, North Dakota. Nikunen served in the role from 1984-1987. Nikunen’s first collegiate coaching experience came as an assistant at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. An NCAA Division II institution during his tenure there, Nikunen held an assistant position in the program from 1981-1984, where he worked as a position’s coach.
Coach Nikunen received his bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Mayville State University in 1979. He went on to earn a master’s degree in education from North Dakota State University in 1984. A native of Biwabick, Minnesota, Rick Nikunen resides in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and also serves as a psychology instructor at NCTC. His wife, Shari Olson, currently holds the president’s position at South Mountain Community College in Arizona. Rick and Shari have one son, Willie.
