B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell is working through the process of finalizing a coaching staff for the 2020 season.
According to The Province reporter Ed Willes the Lions have identified a special teams coordinator.
Rick Campbell has been quiet about naming his assistants but Mark Nelson’s name has popped up. Nelson has coached in the CFL for a decade and was on Campbell’s staff in Ottawa. He’ll likely take over special teams.
Nelson was alongside Campbell in Ottawa for his entire tenure — six seasons — in the nation’s capital. He has 30 years of coaching experience at the pro and collegiate levels.
The 63-year-old Edmonton native coached for his hometown Eskimos from 2010-2012 as linebackers coach during the first two seasons before having the defensive coordinator duties added to his role in 2012. Nelson served as linebackers coach in 2013 with Montreal.
His most recent stint in the CFL began in 2009 when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hired Nelson as the team’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. From 1997-2008, he worked in the United States at various colleges, including Valdosta State, Arkansas Tech, Kentucky, Baylor, Tulsa and Louisville.
Nelson made his debut in the CFL as a player in 1980 with Calgary and was with the Stampeders until 1985 when he was traded to Saskatchewan. He made his first professional coaching appearance in 1992 as special teams and linebackers coach with the Eskimos, winning a Grey Cup in 1993.
He also worked with the San Antonio Texans and the Toronto Argonauts, where he earned a second Grey Cup ring in 1996.
