CORAL GABLES, Fla. – After three seasons as an assistant volleyball coach at the University of Miami, Lee Nelson has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Nevada.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time coaching at Miami and feel very fortunate to have been able to work with so many quality individuals,” Nelson said. “Miami’s volleyball team is made up of some truly great people and has a world-class coaching staff, I am sure this program is just going to keep getting better and better. I would like to thank Keno Gandara for the opportunity to continue to work at Miami and will be following the Canes from a far, wishing them the success they deserve.”
At Miami, Nelson worked primarily with the middle blockers, making a major impact since joining the Canes in 2012. Miami jumped from the 125th-ranked team in blocking to the 12th-best team in the NCAA in Nelson’s first year in Coral Gables. That same season, Emani Sims ranked 21st in the country with 1.39 blocks/set and was named an AVCA All-American.
Nelson was instrumental in the development of Sims and All-ACC performer Alexis Mourning. Under Nelson’s direction, Sims and Mourning have risen to rank second and eighth, respectively, on Miami’s all-time blocks list.
In 2014, Sims earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA East Coast All-Region and First Team All-ACC honors, while closing out her career as Miami’s most efficient hitter of all-time. Freshman middle blocker Sakile Simmons was the latest middle blocker to make an impact for the Hurricanes, recording 111 blocks while playing in all 31 matches.
The Hurricanes made the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons Nelson spent in Coral Gables, reaching the second round of the tournament in 2014.
“I am excited for Lee and his new opportunity,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “The University of Nevada has made a great choice in selecting Lee. He has helped us tremendously during his time here at the University of Miami. Lee is a great coach and an even better person. We wish him the best in his future at Nevada.”
Nelson joined the Miami Hurricanes volleyball program as an assistant coach in April 2012. Prior to joining the Canes, Nelson spent three years as the associate head coach with the UC Santa Barbara men’s team. In Nelson’s final year at UCSB, he helped coach the Gauchos to the 2011 NCAA Tournament Finals.
Under Nelson’s guidance, Dylan Davis set the men’s Final Four record for hitting percentage (.882) in UCSB’s victory over USC on May 5, 2011 that sent the Gauchos to the 2011 NCAA Championship match. Davis’ record still stands today.
Prior to his second stint at UC Santa Barbara, Nelson spent one season as an assistant coach for the Frenso State women’s team and one season as an assistant for the University of Nevada, Reno women’s team. Nelson began his collegiate coaching career in 1997, working with the men’s team at UC Santa Barbara. While serving as the first assistant at UCSB, he also was an assistant coach for the women’s team at Santa Barbara City College.
As a player, Nelson played collegiately at UC Santa Barbara where he was a teammate of Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara. In 1988, Nelson and Gandara helped the Gauchos reach the NCAA Finals. In 1989, he ranked third in the country in hitting percentage. Nelson was invited to the USA National Team tryouts in 1986 and 1989. Following his collegiate career, Nelson played professionally in Finland and The Netherlands.
Nelson graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in history/environmental studies. He earned his master’s degree in history in 2005 from the University of Nevada, Reno.
A national search is underway for Nelson’s replacement.
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