May 16, 2006
DENVER - DU head volleyball coach Beth Kuwata announced today the hiring of former Marquette University assistant Todd Nelson as assistant coach. Nelson, who brings 12 years of coaching experience to the Pioneer program, joins four-year assistant Billy Hardison on Kuwata's staff. Nelson replaces former Pioneer assistant Amy Kleyweg, who took over as head coach at DePaul University in February after ten seasons at DU.
"I am truly excited about the addition of Todd to our staff," said Kuwata. "He is an experienced recruiter, knows the Midwest recruiting landscape, and is a tireless worker. I am thrilled to have him join our Pioneer family."
A native of New Richmond, Wis., Nelson served as an assistant coach at Marquette University from 2002-2006. During that time, the Golden Eagles complied a record of 62-52, the best in the school's Division I history. Marquette reached its conference tournament every year and finished second at the C-USA Championships in 2004. Nelson coached seven all-conference honorees, as well as two American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region selections. Nelson's duties at Marquette also included overseeing all recruiting efforts, opponent scouting and serving as the associate director of Marquette Volleyball Summer Camps.
Prior to Marquette, Nelson was an assistant coach at Indiana State, where he directed all recruiting efforts and coached 12 All-Missouri Valley Conference honorees. He assisted the Sycamores to three MVC tournament appearances and coached ISU's career leader in assists, kills, attempts, digs, block assists and total blocks.
A 1998 graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth in elementary education and communications, Nelson began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater from 1995-1999. During that time, he assisted the program to four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championships, boasting a 45-2 conference record and an overall mark of 88-26. Even early in his career, Nelson's recruiting skills produced four NSIC Players of the Year, seven all-conference winners, seven All-North Central Region players and one Second-Team All-American. Prior to receiving his first collegiate coaching break, Nelson served as Head Varsity Coach at The Marshall School and Director of Superior Coast Volleyball in Duluth.
In addition to his collegiate credentials, Nelson has played an integral role on the Midwestern developmental camp scene. From 2000-2004, Nelson participated in summer camps at Purdue University, as well as a three-year stint as Camp Director of the All-American Camps in St. Louis, Mo.
A member of the AVCA since 1996, Nelson served as a player and a coach on the Minnesota-Duluth Men's Club Volleyball Team from 1992-1998.
The Nelson Bio
Player
1992-98, University of Minnesota-Duluth Men's Club Volleyball team
Assistant Coach
1995-98, University of Minnesota-Duluth
1999-2002, Indiana State University
2002- January 2006, Marquette University
May 2006, University of Denver
Education
University of Minnesota-Duluth
* B.S. - Elementary Education (1998)
* B.A. - Communication (1998)
Personal
Hometown: New Richmond, Wisconsin
