University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Women's Basketball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- brad.nelson@uni.edu
- Phone:
- 273-6338
Brad Nelson is entering his 16th season with the Panthers. He serves as the recruiting and scheduling coordinator for UNI and works primarily with the Panther offense and also assists with scouting for games and all facets of practice.
Nelson joined the Panther coaching staff in the 2000-01 season. He has been with the Panthers during both NCAA Tournament appearance (2010, 2011), and each of their five WNIT appearances (2001, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2015).
Nelson has been a part of a coaching staff that has led UNI to new heights in the MVC, including the program’s first-ever regular-season title in 2010-11. He was named recruiting coordinator in the 2001-02 season, and he has helped sign MVC all-conference players Cassie Hager, Tara King, Jessie Biggs, Lizzie Boeck, Madison Weekly and the 2011/2013 MVC Player of the Year, Jacqui Kalin.
Prior to joining UNI, Nelson served as assistant head coach at Cedar Falls High School and helped lead the Tigers to back-to-back trips to the semi-finals of the 4A Iowa Girls Basketball State Tournament.
Prior to Cedar Falls, he served as an assistant coach at St. Ambrose University in 1995-96. That season, St. Ambrose won the regular and postseason conference titles on the way to a berth in the NAIA National Tournament.
While earning his business management degree from the University of Oregon, Nelson served as the head manager for the Ducks’ men’s basketball team under coaches Don Monson and Jerry Green.
Nelson and his wife, Jenny, have four children: 18-year-old daughter Bailey, 16-year-old twin sons Brandon and Jacob, and 11-year-old son Jordan.
