Jack Nelson enters his first season on staff at Northern State in the fall of 2025. Nelson joins the Wolves after serving as the associate head coach at the University of Sioux Falls and head coach at the University of Mary.
From 2021 to 2025, Nelson served as the head coach at the University of Mary where he developed one NSIC Newcomer of the Year and one NSIC All-Conference first team recipient. In addition, 16 Marauders earned Academic Honor Court accolades, his team’s earned the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award twice, and five were named to the CSC Academic All-District® Team.
Prior to his stint with the Marauders, Nelson was the associate head coach at the University of Sioux Falls. USF posted a 48-24 record in his three seasons on staff. They won the 2020 NSIC South Division title with six NSIC All-Conference performers and one All-Region recipient.
Nelson opened his coaching career as an assistant at Saint Mary’s University during the 2007-08 season. He moved on to assistant coaching stops at Sioux Falls from 2008 to 2011, Bellevue University in 2011-12, and Minot State University from 2012 to 2016. In his first stint at USF, the Cougars advanced to the GPAC Tournament Championship in 2009, 2010, and 2011, winning top honors in 2009 and 2011. He assisted with the program’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, while also leading the junior varsity team as the head coach. In his one season at Bellevue, the Bruins went 28-6 winning the MCAC regular season and tournament championships. At Minot State, Nelson recruited the program’s first NSIC All-Conference player and NSIC Player of the Year.
He led the Central Wyoming College Rustlers from 2016 to 2018 as the head coach, posting a 41-21 record overall. CWC advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NJCAA Regional tournament in back-to-back seasons. He coached three all-region selections and all of his student-athletes went on to play at the 4-year level.
Nelson holds an Associate of Arts from Black Hawk College, Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management from Saint Mary’s University, and Master of Science in Education Leadership from Winona State University. Jack and his wife Jamie have two children, Raelynn and Kai.
