Chris Nelson enters his third season as the head coach of the Bethel Lady Wildcats. In the 2007-2008 Coach Nelson led the Lady Wildcats to a 14-16 finish and a 9-9 record in TranSouth Athletic Conference. Coach Nelson now posts a career record of 30-29 as head coach.

A native of West Tennessee Coach Nelson began his coaching career in Yorkville, TN. At Yorkville School, a school in the Gibson County Special School District, he coached the boy's junior high team for one season. Coach Nelson then moved on to serve as an assistant coach for the Pioneers of Gibson County High School under the direction of Head Coach Scott Bowlin from 2001-2002. From Gibson County High, Coach Nelson spent the next five seasons as an assistant for the Bethel College Lady Wildcats mentored by Larry Eddings. As an assistant coach for the Lady Wildcats, Coach Nelson helped them reach new heights as a basketball program. Coach Nelson was a key component in the two consecutive trips to the NAIA DII National tournament during the 2005 and 2006 season. Coach Nelson has seen the Bethel Lady Wildcats evolve.

In the 2006-2007 season, Bethel moved from Division II to Division I in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and went from the KIAC to arguably the toughest conference in the nation, the TranSouth Athletic Conference. In his first season with the Lady Wildcats they finished 17-13 (7-11) and ended the season in the second round of the TSAC tournament.

In 2007-2008 season, Bethel climbed up the ladder two spots finishing fifth place in conference play before eventually falling to national runner up Trevecca Nazarene and in the second round of TSAC play.

Coach Chris Nelson has earned a History degree from Bethel College. He is married to Jennifer Nelson, who is a teacher and coach at Mckenzie Middle. They reside in McKenzie.