TicketsSept. 22, 2005
Contact: Shawn Sell
CINCINNATI, Ohio--University of Cincinnati head baseball coach Brian Cleary has announced the addition of James Nelson to the Bearcat staff as an assistant coach. A former player and coach at Coe College (Iowa), Nelson will have responsibilities in a number of areas of the UC program.
Nelson spent the past two years at Coe, serving as the varsity pitching coach and head coach of the junior varsity program. In the fall of 2005, Nelson added the title of adjunct teacher in the physical education department to his resume.
At UC, Nelson will be the squad's first base coach and will work with the team's outfielders. He will also assist in practice preparation and scouting reports, while helping associate head coach Brad Meador with office recruiting responsibilities.
"I am excited to add James to our staff," Cleary stated. "He comes to us already having a background in college baseball and has demonstrated a work ethic and enthusiasm that I believe will contribute to our success."
Prior to returning to his alma mater, Nelson spent two years at Allegheny College (Pa.), where he was an assistant baseball coach and assistant sports information director. During 2001-02, Nelson completed his first coaching stint at Coe, while also working as an instructor in the Cedar Rapids School system. Nelson has also gained coaching experience on the high school and junior high levels during his career.
Nelson graduated from Coe in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and is completing a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa this year.
Among his coaching accomplishments are helping Coe and Allegheny teams to the conference tournament four straight years, while coaching Josh Sharpless, a 20th round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003. During his time as an assistant, Nelson' squads have posted a record of 84-75-1.