Chris Nelson
Chris Nelson

Bio

B.S., Bethel University, 2004

Coach Chris Nelson (403-209) enters his 19th season as head coach of Bethel women's basketball in 2025-26.

He served eight years on the board of directors for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and is currently serving as the President of the NAIA/WBCA Executive Committee. He is also on the NAIA National Selection Committee. 

During Nelson's tenure as head coach, Bethel has qualified for 13 NAIA national tournaments (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2025). The Lady Wildcats have won 81 percent (174-41) of their home games at Crisp Arena since the venue opened in 2012.

Coach Nelson's 403 career victories rank him 13th in wins among active women's basketball coaches in the NAIA. He has led Bethel to 12 seasons with 20-plus wins.

Nelson has been a four-time finalist for both the WBCA National Coach of the Year and WBCA Regional Coach of the Year awards. He has been named the conference coach of the year five times during his career. Nelson was named WHoopDirt.com NAIA Coach of the Year presented by Pivot Analysis for the 2019-20 season. He has also been named the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year two times (2020 & 2025).

Coach Nelson got his start in the basketball business early when he started his coaching career at Yorkville School during his sophomore year in college. After one season, he moved on to serve as an assistant coach at Gibson County High School under the direction of his mentor, Coach Scott Bowlin. From Gibson County, Coach Nelson spent the next five seasons as an assistant for Bethel women's basketball under Coach Larry Eddings. He was a key component in Bethel's two consecutive trips to the NAIA Division II national tournament in 2005 and 2006.

Coach Nelson earned his history degree from Bethel. He is married to Jennifer Nelson, a teacher at McKenzie Middle School. They reside in McKenzie.

Coaching Record

Year Overall Conference
2006-07 17-13 (.567) 7-11 (.389)
2007-08 14-16 (.467) 9-9 (.500)
2008-09 19-13 (.594) 9-7 (.563)
2009-10 22-11 (.667) 11-5 (.688)
2010-11 27-7 (.794) 13-3 (.813)
2011-12 15-17 (.469) 6-10 (.375)
2012-13 21-11 (.656) 4-4 (.500)
2013-14 23-11 (.676) 14-6 (.700)
2014-15 32-4 (.889) 18-0 (1.000)
2015-16 26-7 (.788) 16-2 (.889)
2016-17 24-11 (.686) 17-3 (.850)
2017-18 20-11 (.645) 11-4 (.733)
2018-19 28-6 (.824) 18-2 (.900)
2019-20 29-4 (.879) 15-1 (.938)
2020-21 12-13 (.480) 6-10 (.375)
2021-22 21-14 (.600) 12-10 (.545)
2022-23 13-16 (.448) 9-13 (.409)
2023-24 13-16 (.448)

0-12 (.000)
2024-25 27-8 (.771) 5-7 (.312)
Career 403-209 (.660) 200-119 (.626)