Mike Nelson - Men's Cross Country Coach - Dartmouth College Athletics

Mike Nelson

Title:
Marjorie & Herbert Chase '30 Director of Dartmouth Track & Field and Cross Country
Email:
mike.nelson@dartmouth.edu

Mike Nelson joins the Big Green as the Marjorie & Herbert Chase ’30 Director of Dartmouth Track & Field and Cross Country in August 2024.

Nelson enters his second season leading the Big Green in 2025-26.

In Nelson's first season with Dartmouth, the Big Green saw a significant increase in points scored compared to the 2024 Indoor Ivy League Championship. In 2024, the women earned 33 points while the men had 39. In 2025, the women finished sixth with 52 points, while the men finished fourth with 79 points. Additionally, six student-athletes made appearances at the NCAA Division I First Round.

Along with his seven Coach of the Year honors at Monmouth, Nelson led the Hawks to seven MAAC Championships — men’s indoor (2020, 2022), men’s outdoor (2021, 2022), women’s indoor (2022) and women’s outdoor (2021, 2022). Individually, Evan Nedrowski was a two-time second team All-American (2022, 2023). In 2022, the Hawks transitioned to the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) where Nelson coached the men’s team to a second-place finish in indoor and outdoor, which included six indoor individual champions and five outdoor champions.

Nelson coached Monmouth’s first-ever NCAA cross country qualifier in Sammi Ragenklint while also coaching the men’s cross country team to its highest finish ever in the MAAC (second place in both 2020 and 2021).

"We are thrilled to welcome Mike Nelson to the Dartmouth Athletics and Recreation team as our Marjorie & Herbert Chase ’30 Director of Dartmouth Track & Field and Cross Country," said Harrity. “During our search, Mike’s combination of leadership and passion for developing student-athletes made it clear he was the right person to guide our program during this next chapter. Whether Mike was starting a program or leading one through a period of change, his student-athletes have enjoyed success athletically and academically. We’re confident his ability to connect with student-athletes and commitment to excellence will propel our program forward.”

Prior to Monmouth, Nelson served as head men’s and women’s cross country coach, and assistant track and field coach at Marquette from August 2007 to August 2019. While there, the Golden Eagles won six Big East track and field team championships. Nelson coached school record holders in women’s indoor 800m and 1000m, women’s indoor DMR, women’s outdoor 5K and women’s indoor/outdoor 4X800m. In cross country, five student-athletes finished in the top 25 in the Great Lakes region, with 18 qualifying for the NCAA First Round / Mid-East Regional.

Nelson helped lead the efforts to establish an NCAA track and field program at Saint Louis, where he served as head men’s and women’s track and field and cross country coach for the Billikens from July, 2005 to August, 2007. Enjoying success from the start, he coached 13 Atlantic 10 All-Conference performers in their first season of competition. Nelson began his coaching career in 2003 as graduate assistant track and cross country coach at Emporia State.

Nelson has served as a member of the NCAA cross country/track and field sport committee, and currently serves on the NCAA rules committee. He has completed two Master’s degrees, in health and physical education at Emporia State in 2005 and leadership studies at Marquette in 2018.

What They’re Saying

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike Nelson to Dartmouth College as our new Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. His passion for coaching and development of student-athletes, and track record of success makes us confident that he can lead our program to success with new heights. As impassioned alumni, we are all extremely encouraged and deeply committed to supporting the program and ensuring that it remains a cornerstone of Dartmouth’s athletic tradition.

We are excited to collaborate with Director Nelson and the entire coaching staff to foster an environment where our student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field. His leadership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and we are here to champion his efforts every step of the way. Welcome to the Big Green family—we can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish!”

- Dave Altman ‘99 and Dana Giordano ’16, Friends of Dartmouth Track & Field/XC Co-Chairs

“Dartmouth has identified an outstanding Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. (Director of Athletics and Recreation) Mike Harrity’s unwavering commitment to the sport, attention to detail, and genuine appreciation for the rich tradition of excellence in cross country and track and field at Dartmouth bodes well for the future of the program.”

- Vin Lananna, Current University of Virginia Director of Track and Field and Cross Country/Associate Athletics Director for Administration, Former Dartmouth Director of Track and Field and Cross Country (1980-92), United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame Member (inducted 2012)

“This is a great hire for Dartmouth College. Mike Nelson has developed successful programs throughout his career. He and I built Marquette into a Big East championship program, he expanded on a successful culture at Monmouth, and I have no doubt he will bring a culture of success to the Big Green. In addition, not only is Mike a terrific coach, but he is also a terrific person who will make a positive impact on the Dartmouth community.”

- Bert Rogers, Director of Track & Field, Marquette University

“Mike Nelson is a transformational leader and develops the student-athletes on his team to be successful, on and off the track. He's a proven winner, recruiter and overall fantastic human being.”

- Tim Rehm, Executive Associate AD for Athletic Performance and Track & Field and Cross Country Sport Supervisor, Monmouth University

“Mike has a wealth of experience to draw from as he ventures forward at Dartmouth. I have looked upon Mike as one who coaches with integrity, all the while looking for the edge to win. He is a positive individual having witnessed his enthusiastic nature while interacting with his student athletes.”

- Marcus O'Sullivan, Frank J. Kelly Endowed Track & Field Coach, Villanova