Recruiting Areas: Jeffco, Littleton, Western Slope; Idaho; Kansas City area
Shane Nelson joined the Mines coaching staff in the spring of 2023 working with the linebackers.
In his first season at Mines, Nelson coached four all-RMAC linebackers including RMAC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus all-American Nolan Reeve and all-region selection Adrian Moreno. The Orediggers' had one of the nation's best run defenses led by its linebackers, and ranked third nationally in scoring defense, first in turnovers gained, and 12th in total defense as they won the 2023 RMAC and NCAA Super Region IV titles on the way to a repeat appearance in the national title game.
In 2024, Mines' linebackers continued to be big producers led by all-RMAC selections in Moreno, Hayden Gregg, and Jalen Healy. The Orediggers ranked #6 nationally in 3rd-down conversion defense and #20 in red zone defense thanks in part to the linebacking corps.
Nelson is no stranger to the RMAC, having played and coached at Fort Lewis before moving in to coach at Brevard College in North Carolina. At Fort Lewis, Nelson went from a walk-on running back to being a three-year starter at linebacker, and after graduating in 2017 had a variety of coaching roles working with the linebackers, running backs, strength and conditioning, and finally the wide receivers. In 2019 he moved to Brevard to work with the linebackers before being promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2022 season.
Nelson holds a degree in exercise science from Fort Lewis.
