Mark Nelson – Special Teams Coordinator

It’s a second stop in Toronto for Nelson, who has an extensive coaching career in the CFL and NCAA.

He was the defensive line coach for the 1996 Grey Cup championship Argos team.

Most recently with the Ottawa Redblacks, Nelson has been a CFL defensive coordinator in Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg, as well as at Valdosta State and Arkansas State in the NCAA.

He has special teams coaching experience with Edmonton in the CFL, and Kentucky, Baylor, Louisville, and Tulsa in the NCAA.

An Edmonton native, his father Roger was an offensive lineman with the Edmonton Eskimos in the 50s and 60s and is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Eskimos Ring of Honour.

A real football family, Mark’s son Kyle is the long snapper for the San Francisco 49ers.

Before entering coaching, Mark played fullback and linebacker in the CFL for six seasons in Calgary, then one in Saskatchewan. He played his NCAA football at East Central Oklahoma State.

Nelson has won three Grey Cups; 1993 with Edmonton, 1996 with Toronto, and 2016 with Ottawa.

COACHING CAREER

2020: Toronto Argonauts. Special Teams Coordinator

2018-19: Ottawa Redblacks, Linebackers Coach

2014-17: Ottawa Redblacks, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach

2013: Montreal Alouettes, Linebackers Coach

2012: Edmonton Eskimos, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach

2010-11: Edmonton Eskimos, Linebackers Coach

2009: Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach

2008: Louisville Cardinals, Special Teams Coach

2007: Louisville Cardinals, Special Teams and Linebackers Coach

2006: Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Special Teams and Defensive Line Coach

2004-05: Baylor Bears: Special Teams and Linebackers Coach

2003: Baylor Bears: Special Teams and Defensive Line Coach

2002: Kentucky Wildcats, Special Teams and Defensive Line Coach

2001: Kentucky Wildcats, Special Teams and Tight Ends Coach

2000: Arkansas State Wonder Boys, Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach

1997-1999: Valdosta State, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach

1996: Toronto Argonauts, Defensive Line Coach

1995: San Antonio Texans, Linebackers Coach

1993-94: Edmonton Eskimos, Special Teams and Running Backs Coach

1992: Edmonton Eskimos, Special Teams and Running Backs Coach