Go Bears!
GO Bears!
Go Bears!


 Mark Nelson
Mark Nelson
Position:
Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
Alma Mater:
East Central Oklahoma State, 1980
Mark Nelson, recognized as one of the nation's finest special teams coaches, is in his third year as Baylor's special teams coordinator and second as its linebackers coach after directing the Bears' defensive ends and special teams in 2003.

Nelson's special teams units have arguably been the strength of Guy Morriss' first two Baylor squads. In 2004, Daniel Sepulveda earned the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top collegiate punter after ranking No. 3 nationally with his 46.0 yard average and Willie Andrews was a consensus first-team All-Big 12 honoree as a kick return specialist after leading the league in kickoff returns with his 24.7 yard mark. The Bears, who ranked No. 5 nationally in net punting (40.6 ypp), No. 35 in kickoff returns (21.7 ypr) and No. 36 in punt returns (11.1 ypr), were the only Big 12 team to rank among the nation's top 36 in all three of those statistical categories in 2004.

While tutoring an All-American and two first-team all-league players on special teams, Nelson also coached Bears' linebacker Justin Crooks, a consensus 2004 second-team All-Big 12 pick.

The 2003 Bears produced three touchdown returns in the kicking game, a blocked kick recovered for a safety and the Big 12's third-best punter in Sepulveda, who averaged 43.1 yards per kick. BU return specialist Robert Quiroga, who returned two 2003 kickoffs for touchdowns, and Sepulveda each received All-Big 12 honors for their performances.

Prior to his arrival in Waco, Nelson made his mark on the Southeastern Conference in two seasons as Kentucky's special teams coach. Two Wildcats -- punter Glenn Pakulak and kick returner Derek Abney -- were named first-team All-SEC both years under Nelson. In 2002, Abney also earned first-team All-America honors after setting an NCAA record with six kick returns for touchdowns (four punts and two kickoffs), while Pakulak won the Mosi Tatupu Award as the National Special Teams Player of the Year and also garnered All-America status.

The 2002 Wildcats also led the SEC in net punting (40.1) and punt return average (15.6) and were second in kickoff return average (23.6). In addition to his special teams duties, Nelson coached the Wildcats' tight ends in 2001 and the defensive ends in 2002.

He worked in the Canadian Football League from 1992-96. Nelson was with the Edmonton Eskimos from 1992-94 as special teams coordinator, linebackers coach (1992) and running backs coach (1993-94). Edmonton won the 1993 Grey Cup and Nelson was named CFL Special Teams Coach of the Year for his efforts. Nelson became acquainted with Guy Morriss when they first coached together with the CFL's San Antonio Texans in 1995. Nelson was the linebackers coach and San Antonio was a conference finalist. He won another Grey Cup in 1996 as defensive line coach for the Toronto Argonauts, where he worked with Baylor defensive coordinator Bill Bradley.

After leaving the CFL, Nelson was defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for three seasons at Valdosta State (Ga.) University. His defensive units were consistently ranked at or near the top of the Gulf South Conference.

Nelson spent the 2000 season as Arkansas Tech's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Tech went 7-3, including a win over Delta State, the only loss suffered by the eventual NCAA Division II national champion.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Nelson was an NAIA All-American during his collegiate playing career at East Central Oklahoma State University. He received his bachelor's degree from East Central Oklahoma in 1980 and earned a master's degree from Pittsburg (Kan.) State in 1988. Nelson played seven seasons in the CFL as a linebacker and fullback with Calgary (1980-85) and Saskatchewan (1986).

He began his coaching career in 1986 at Choctaw High School in Edmond, Okla., then entered the junior college ranks at Independence (Kan.) Community College, where he was an assistant coach from 1987-89, before being promoted to head coach for the 1990 and 1991 seasons. ICC played in the 1987 Dixie Rotary Bowl. He left ICC in 1992 for the CFL and Edmonton.

Nelson and his wife, Lori, have three children, sons Kyle and Kolton, and daughter Kayli.

Nelson and his wife, Lori, have three children, sons Kyle and Kolton, and daughter Kayli.

THE NELSON FILE
Personal
Born: July 25, 1956
Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta
Wife: Lori
Children: Kyle, Kolton and Kayli
Recruiting Emphasis: Central Texas
Game-Day Coaching Assignment: Sideline

Playing Experience
1973: Henry Wisewood H.S. (Calgary, Alberta), LB
1976-79: East Central Oklahoma State, LB (NAIA All-American)
1980-85: Calgary (CFL), LB/FB
1986: Saskatchewan (CFL), LB/FB

Coaching Experience
1986: Choctaw (Okla.) H.S., assistant
1987-89: Independence (Kan.) C.C., defensive coordinator & LBs
1990-91: Independence (Kan.) C.C., head coach
1992-94: Edmonton (CFL), special teams coordinator, LBs & RBs
1995: San Antonio (CFL), linebackers
1996: Toronto (CFL), defensive line
1997-99: Valdosta State, assistant head coach, defensive coordinator & LBs
2000: Arkansas Tech, defensive coordinator & defensive backs
2001: Kentucky, special teams coordinator & tight ends
2002: Kentucky, special teams coordinator & defensive ends
2003: Baylor, special teams coordinator & defensive ends
2004-05: Baylor, special teams coordinator & linebackers

Postseason Experience
1980 CFL Playoffs (player)
1982 CFL Playoffs (player)
1987 Dixey Rotary Bowl (coach)
1992 CFL Playoffs (coach)
1993 Grey Cup Champions (coach)
1994 CFL Playoffs (coach)
1995 CFL Playoffs (coach)
1996 Grey Cup Champions (coach)