Mark Nelson (Canadian football)
Mark Nelson (born July 25, 1956)[1] is a former professional Canadian football linebacker who is currently the special teams coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for seven seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He is a three-time Grey Cup champion having won as a coach in 1993, 1996 and 2016.
| Toronto Argonauts | |
 Nelson before a Redblacks game in 2019. | |
| Born: | July 25, 1956 Edmonton, Alberta |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Special teams coordinator |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| College | East Central Oklahoma State |
| CFL draft | 1980 / Round: Terr. Exemption |
| Drafted by | Calgary Stampeders |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1992 | Edmonton Eskimos (ST coach/LB coach) |
| 1993–1994 | Edmonton Eskimos (ST coach/RB coach) |
| 1995 | San Antonio Texans (LB coach) |
| 1996 | Toronto Argonauts (DL coach) |
| 1997–1999 | Valdosta State Blazers (DC/LB coach) |
| 2000 | Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (DC/DB coach) |
| 2001 | Kentucky Wildcats (ST coach/TE coach) |
| 2002 | Kentucky Wildcats (ST coach/DL coach) |
| 2003 | Baylor Bears (ST coach/DL coach) |
| 2004–2005 | Baylor Bears (ST coach/LB coach) |
| 2006 | Tulsa Golden Hurricane (ST coach/DL coach) |
| 2007 | Louisville Cardinals (ST coach/DL coach) |
| 2008 | Louisville Cardinals (ST coach) |
| 2009 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (DC/LB coach) |
| 2010–2011 | Edmonton Eskimos (LB coach) |
| 2012 | Edmonton Eskimos (DC/LB coach) |
| 2013 | Montreal Alouettes (LB coach) |
| 2014–2017 | Ottawa Redblacks (DC/LB coach) |
| 2018–2019 | Ottawa Redblacks (LB coach) |
| 2020–present | Toronto Argonauts (STC) |
| As player | |
| 1980-1985 | Calgary Stampeders |
| 1986 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Playing career
Nelson played college football for the East Central Oklahoma State Tigers. Nelson was drafted in the 1980 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders where he played for 7 years before retiring with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1987. Nelson played linebacker and fullback during his CFL run.[2]
Coaching career
Nelson has coached for 16 different teams. More recently, on December 20, 2013, he was named the Ottawa Redblacks' defensive coordinator.[3] In 2018, he was demoted from defensive coordinator for the Redblacks to their linebackers coach.[4]
On February 6, 2020, it was announced that Nelson had joined the Toronto Argonauts as the team's special teams coordinator.[5]
Personal life
Nelson's father, Roger is on the Edmonton Eskimo's Wall of Honour and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.[2] His son, Kyle was a long snapper for the San Francisco 49ers.
References
- http://cflapedia.com/Database/n.htm
- "RedBlacks' defensive coach Mark Nelson knows old-school football". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- "Gibson among 8 coaching hires in Ottawa". Canadian Football League. December 20, 2013.
- "From Redblacks defensive co-ordinator to linebackers coach, Mark Nelson puts team first". Ottawa Sun. Ottawa Sun. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- "Argos announce 2020 coaching staff". Toronto Argonauts. February 6, 2020.