Nelson’s hiring was made official at Monday evening’s Negaunee school board meeting in a move that couldn’t have worked better for both the district and the coach.

Negaunee gets a proven veteran coach who turned Marquette into one of the powerhouse programs in the Upper Peninsula, while Nelson can run a program that his son, Wyatt, is coming into as a seventh grader next year at Negaunee Middle School.

Nelson said he was going to be retire from coaching in the near future anyway to be able to watch his son play in high school, but this way, he’s given what seems a rare opportunity.

“It’s definitely a special circumstance that not many people have the opportunity to do,” Nelson said. “The stars aligned, the timing worked out where I was contemplating retiring in two years from coaching and enjoying my son going through high school and all of his games.

Marquette head coach Brad Nelson yells out instructions to his players in the second quarter of a high school boys basketball game played against Westwood at the Barb Crill Gymnasium at Marquette Senior High School on March 16, 2021. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

“It’s a special opportunity that I’m blessed to be in, and I’m looking forward to it.”

In 14 seasons heading the Marquette varsity program, Nelson has a record of 208-83 and four MHSAA Class A/Division 1 district titles.

It can be said that the Miners struck gold with their coaching search, bringing in not only one of the renowned coaches in the region, but one who is also quite familiar with Negaunee’s program.

“He’s done a tremendous job, and I think his records and his accomplishments at Marquette speak for themselves,” Negaunee athletic director Paul Jacobson said. “We’re fortunate to have Brad leading the ship now in our basketball program, and we’re excited to see what direction this is going to go.”

On the other side for Nelson is the hard part of leaving Marquette to coach somewhere else after so many years. Nelson will continue to teach at Marquette Senior High School, but he now faces the unique reality of teaching his former athletes in the classroom and competing against them on the court come next winter.

Official Charlie Morrison, left, and Marquette head coach Brad Nelson, right, have a discussion at the end of the first quarter about a call that was made at the buzzer denying a basket made by Kam Karp, not shown, in their high school boys basketball game played at the Barb Crill Gymnasium at Marquette Senior High School on March 16, 2021. Looking on is Redmen player Lincoln Sager. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

“The list of the pros and cons that I made in my head, of should I do it or shouldn’t I do it, the culture that we’ve established in Marquette in that reputation of not only quality basketball players, but quality young men, outstanding community support and parent support, that I’m going to miss,” Nelson said. “I met with my players on Monday and let them know that it had nothing to do with them, nothing to do with any circumstance in Marquette. It was just the opportunity that I have to not only continue my coaching career, but to spend the high school career of my son with him.”

Marquette will now be looking for a new varsity boys basketball coach after having Nelson in the program for so long. The search for the new coach will begin immediately, according to MSHS athletic director Alex Tiseo.

“I truly appreciate the time, effort and commitment that Coach Nelson dedicated to his position as varsity boys basketball coach at Marquette,” Tiseo said. “Just as the value of contributions made by athletics coaches like Brad cannot be overstated, the same can be said for time spent with family. As a valued friend and colleague, I can admire his decision to seek this new opportunity.”

Despite Negaunee now filling its coaching vacancy, and Marquette now looking for its new coach, the summer is rapidly approaching as teams plan for next season. School will end in the next couple of weeks, which means basketball camps and team camps soon will be on the horizon.

The team that he coaches for might change from Redmen to Miners, but Nelson’s philosophy from Day 1 will be the same.

“I think I provide what those kids want,” Nelson said. “I’m a little more loose on the offensive side, defensively is the same stuff. Just to see how these kids react to my coaching, and I think history says in the 14 years that I’ve been at Marquette that I always have kids that work hard and that want to play for each other.

“That’s something from Day 1 that’s going to be preached is play hard, play hard for each other and hold each other accountable. You hold that carrot above their head, and more times than not, they respond in a way that makes you not only a successful team, but program.”

Travis Nelson can be reached by email at tnelson@miningjournal.net.