| Year: | 1972 |
| Team: | Nicholls State Colonels |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Gulf South Conference |
| Short Conf: | GSC |
| Record: | 3–8 |
| Conf Record: | 1–5 |
| Head Coach: | Gary Kinchen |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Prev Year: | none |
The 1972 Nicholls State Colonels football team represented Nicholls State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 1972 NCAA College Division football season. Led by first-year head coach Gary Kinchen, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 3–8 with a mark of 1–5 in conference play, tying for seventh place in the GSC. Nicholls State played home games at Colonel Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana.