Mark Nelson
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

The Edmonton native brings with him 24 years of coaching experience at the the professional and college levels including three years with the Eskimos as Special Teams Coordinator (1992-1994), linebackers coach (1992) and running backs coach (1993-1994).

A former CFL player with Calgary (1980-1985) and Saskatchewan (1986), Nelson broke into professional football coaching with the Eskimos in 1992. As a coach he has two Grey Cup rings to his credit with Edmonton (1993) and Toronto (1996).

A 1980 graduate of East Central Oklahoma, Mark is the son of former Eskimo legend Roger Nelson.

He and his wife Lori have three children: sons Kyle and Kolton and daughter Kayli. His son Kyle is currently playing in the NFL.

Mark Nelson's Coaching History:
2012 – Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2010-11 – Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) - Linebackers Coach
2009 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers - Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach
2008 – Louisville (NCAA, Division I) - Special Teams Coordinator
2007 – Louisville (NCAA, Division I) - Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach
2006 – Tulsa (NCAA, Division I) - Assistant Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, Special Teams Coach
2004 – 2005: Baylor (NCAA, Division I) - Special Teams Coordinator, Linebackers Coach
2003 – Baylor (NCAA, Division I) - Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Ends Coach
2002 – Kentucky (NCAA, Division I) - Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Ends Coach
2001 – Kentucky (NCAA, Division I) - Special Teams Coordinator, Tight Ends Coach
2000 – Arkansas Tech (NCAA, Division II) - Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs Coach
1997 – 1999: Valdosta State (NCAA, Division II) - Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach
1996 – Toronto Argonauts (CFL) – Defensive Line Coach
1995 – San Antonia Texans (CFL) - Linebackers Coach
1993 – 1994: Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) - Special Teams Coordinator, Running Backs Coach
1992 – Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) – Special Teams Coordinator, Linebackers Coach
1990 – 1991: Independence CC (Community College Conference) – Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator
1988 – 1989: Independence CC (Community College Conference) – Defensive Line Coach, Linebackers Coach
1987 – Independence CC (Community College Conference) – Defensive Line Coach
1986 – Choctaw High School – Defensive Line Coach, Special Teams Coordinator