AT COLLEGE OF IDAHO: Nelson joined the Yotes for the 2020 season as an assistant with the Coyote football program, working with the linebackers. In 2020, three of his linebackers earned All-Frontier Conference honors (Dylan Martinez, Graham Carnahan, Joey Calzaretta). He currently serves as the linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, and recruiting coordinator. He has coached two Frontier Conference Players of the week (Dylan Martinez, Tanner Leaf) who also won honors as NAIA players of the week. He coached two time All-America player Dylan Martinez. He has mentored athletes that have been honored as all-conference nine times in the Frontier Conference. Nelson also coached Champion of Character 2023 recipient Joey Calzaretta. He coached Dylan Martinez to Second all time on total tackles in a career-109, all time leader in fumbles Recovered in a Career-7, single game tackle record-22, all-time leader in In assisted tackles in a season-66. Nelson helped coach the team to a program best semi-final run in the 2023 NAIA National Championships.

PRIOR TO C OF I: Originally from Lakewood, Colo., he is a 2017 graduate of Fort Lewis College with a degree in exercise science, where he played football for four seasons and also served as an assistant coach from 2017-19. At Fort Lewis he coached 3 all-conference players. As a player, saw action in 34 career games, recording 55 total tackles on special teams and as a linebacker.

PERSONAL: Nelson is from Lakewood, Colorado. His wife Shay and him have a dog named Baker. His twin brother Shane coaches linebackers at The Colorado School of Mines.