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