Jonathan “J.T.” Terrell announced on Thursday that Nicholls State University women’s basketball head coach Dobee Plaisance has stepped down from her position.

The now-former head coach has been with the team for the last 15 seasons. Before coming to Nicholls in 2008, Plaisance coached at Loyola University of New Orleans.

Between 2004 and 2008, Plaisance guided the Loyola Wolfpack to a record 81-33. During those years Loyola won consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Plaisance also took that 2007-08 Loyola basketball team to the elite eight NAIA tournament, the furthest Loyola has made it in the tournament. She capped off the 2007-08 season with her second GCAC Coach of the Year award in as many years.

Plaisance has set multiple team records at Nicholls. She holds the record for most wins in program history, set the single-season wins record twice, and took the women’s basketball team to their only NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018 after winning the Southland Conference Tournament. 

Plaisance also holds the record for most consecutive years with two players selected as All-Southland nominees at three.

Plaisance coached 13 players who received All-Southland Conference team honors, including the program’s first, Emani White, and two players who were named Southland Conference Student-Athletes of the Year.

Athletic Director Johnathan “J.T.” Terrell said the university is grateful for what Plaisance has done for the program over the years.

Plaisance leaves Nicholls as the most successful coach in program history.