Nelson joined the Tornado staff prior to the 2017-18 season following a brief stint at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., where he was the interim head coach. In the first year of the program, Nelson helped Northeastern finish in the top 25 of the national tournament as three Plainsmen qualified for the national tournament. Northeastern finished with one All-American and three academic All-Americans.

Prior to coaching at Northeastern, Nelson was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Coker College where he helped with the recruitment of student-athletes. While wrestling at Coker, Nelson ranked in the top 10 of NCAA Division II in the 2015-16 season while being selected All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and earning academic All-America honors.