
Coach Nelson was a three-year baseball player and 2001 Coe graduate. After his playing career, Nelson served as the Kohawk pitching coach for the 2002 season before returning on a permanent basis in 2007.
Nelson spent two years as the pitching coach at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. While at Allegheny, he coached 2003 draft pick, and current Pittsburgh Pirate relief pitcher, Josh Sharpless.
In 2006 Nelson served as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati. At Cincinnati, he was in charge of outfield play, while also working with hitting and pitching.
Residing in North Liberty with his wife Dana, and daughter, Livya, Coach Nelson returned to Coe in 2006 and currently serves as the Kohawk pitching coach and teaches classes in the Coe physical education department. In addition to his duties at Coe, James is a lead instructor for the DeMarini Top 96, who offer high school showcases and clinics nation wide.
| # | Name | Cl. | Pos. | Bat/Throw | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanner Beck | FR | IF | R/R | 5-8 | 160 | Fort Dodge, Iowa | Fort Dodge |
| 2 | Kevin Baranowski | JR | P/IF | R/R | 5-11 | 170 | Hawthorn Woods, Ill. | Lake Zurich |
| 3 | Scott DeAngelis | SO | IF | R/R | 5-10 | 155 | Clinton, Iowa | Clinton |
| 4 | Ryan Velvick | JR | IF | R/R | 5-11 | 175 | Swisher, Iowa | Prairie |
| 6 | Joe Swanson | SR | OF | R/R | 5-8 | 180 | Marion, Iowa | Marion |
| 7 | Tyler Kozelka | FR | P/OF | R/R | 6-0 | 170 | McGregor, Iowa | Prairie Du Chien |
| 8 | Josh Barber | SR | P | R/L | 6-1 | 185 | Nevada, Iowa | Nevada |
| 9 | Pat Richmond | SR | IF | R/R | 6-1 | 195 | Algonquin, Ill. | Dundee Crown |
| 10 | Nick McKenzie | SR | P/OF | R/R | 6-3 | 185 | St. Louis, Mo. | Lindbergh |
| 12 | Ben Strellner | FR | P/IF | R/L | 5-10 | 175 | Marion, Iowa | Linn-Mar |
| 13 | Wade Morris | FR | P/IF | R/R | 6-0 | 190 | Conrad, Iowa | BCLUW |
| 14 | Brian Nolasco | FR | IF/OF | R/R | 5-7 | 155 | Spring Valley, Ill. | Hall |
| 15 | Kevin Schuver | JR | C | R/R | 6-1 | 195 | Marion, Iowa | Marion |
| 16 | John Logan | SO | IF | R/R | 5-11 | 190 | Marshalltown, Iowa | Marshalltown |
| 17 | Zach Picciotti | FR | P/IF | R/R | 6-0 | 160 | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Horizon |
| 18 | Sean Raisch | SO | P/OF | R/R | 6-1 | 190 | Urbandale, Iowa | Urbandale |
| 19 | Cody Raisch | SR | P | R/R | 6-5 | 250 | Urbandale, Iowa | Urbandale |
| 20 | Nick Stein | FR | OF | R/R | 5-10 | 170 | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Horizon |
| 21 | Alec Lewis | SR | P | R/R | 6-4 | 250 | Mesa, Ariz. | Red Mountain |
| 22 | Mark Proust | SO | OF | L/L | 5-9 | 185 | St. Charles, Ill. | East |
| 23 | Jerry Ellendson | FR | P/IF | L/L | 6-1 | 200 | Fort Dodge, Iowa | Fort Dodge |
| 24 | Nick Robertson | SR | OF | R/R | 5-10 | 160 | Highlands Ranch, Colo. | Mountain Vista |
| 25 | Jacob Schwind | SR | C | R/R | 6-1 | 185 | Burlington, Iowa | Notre Dame |
| 27 | Josh McQuillen | SO | C | R/R | 5-8 | 180 | Cascade, Iowa | Cascade |
| 29 | Ryan Rayhill | SR | P | R/R | 5-11 | 180 | Evergreen Park, Ill. | St. Rita |
| 30 | Adam Nisenson | SO | OF | L/R | 6-0 | 185 | Crystal Lake, Ill. | Central |
| 31 | Ryan Schisler | SR | IF/OF | L/R | 6-2 | 200 | Morrison, Ill. | Morrison |
| 32 | Spencer Sobba | SO | C/IF | R/R | 6-2 | 215 | Kansas City, Mo. | St. Pius X |
| 33 | John Delaplane | SO | IF | R/R | 6-4 | 220 | Downers Grove, Ill. | North |
| 34 | Jason Schoulte | FR | OF | R/R | 6-2 | 200 | Farmersburg, Iowa | MFL-Mar Mac |
| 35 | Patton Hofer | FR | C | R/R | 5-11 | 190 | Algonquin, Ill. | Jacobs |
| 36 | Kaileb Armbruster | FR | P/IF | R/R | 5-10 | 205 | DeSoto, Mo. | DeSoto |
| 37 | Brock Yotty | JR | P | R/R | 6-1 | 275 | Kalona, Iowa | Mid-Prairie |