Greene County hires Chris Nelson as new boys basketball coach

By BRANDON HURLEY

Sports Editor

sports@beeherald.com

A coach with ties to the city of Jefferson will take over the reigns of the Greene County boys basketball team this winter. 

Chris Nelson, a 2002 graduate of Jefferson-Scranton High School, was recently named the new head. 

Nelson played four years of college basketball at Central College in Pella and transitioned to a student coach in his fifth year. 

“Chris had shown interest and had pursued it and seemed to be a good fit,” Greene County activities director, Dean Lansman said. “ I think Chris will bring a lot of positives to the program. His overall knowledge of the game will help the kids.” 

Nelson’s connections to Jefferson were a big pull for the coach. 

“The no. 1 thing, this is my home town,” he said. “I just wanted to, if I had that chance to come back.”

The husband and father of two spent the past nine years a few miles west coaching at Glidden-Ralston. 

Nelson replaces Jeramie Hinote, who led the Rams to a 10-11 record and a first round district loss to Carroll during the 2015-16 season. 

Glidden-Ralston went 11-11 last season with Nelson at the helm. The Wildcats averaged 54.9 points per game and made 41 percent of their field goal attempts. 

Nelson is married to Katie and the two just welcomed their second child, son Tryce last week. They also have a daughter, Nora. 

The coach enjoys the teaching aspect of the game and the intricacies of the sport. 

“I’ve always been a huge basketball fan and I was pretty lucky to have a good career playing it,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed the small things of basketball, the fundamentals and just getting better. Being able to pass those on to kids at all ages is something I really enjoy. Being able to come back to Jefferson and do it is really exciting.” 

Greene County has not experienced a winning record since they were known as Jefferson-Scranton in the 2011-12 season, five years. They were 13-10 and won a first round district game over South Central Calhoun. 

Nelson is optimistic for the upcoming winter season and sees some pieces already in place. He implements a fast and physical style of play.  

“I like to get up and down, i was a guard in high school,” Nelson said. “But at the same time, utilize our big guys. Really, the key is to get up and down and get in the paint. Either with post entry passes or drives, penetrate and kick or cutting. (I want) to be physical, especially on the defensive side. Be in an aggressive mindset and be on the attack and try to dictate things.” 

The Rams return senior Trey Tucker, who led the team in scoring a season ago at 19.2 points per game, but lost seven seniors. Just three juniors played on last year’s squad.

Nelson said his familiarity with some of the returning guys was also a big pull for him. He’s attended a handful of open gyms already. 

“I’m looking forward to meet the guys,” the coach said. “Going into this job it helped that i knew some of the guys a little bit and I’ve got to watch them play. I know there’s quite a bit of talent and we are going to see where their skills take them with some hard work.”