Track and Field
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- william.nelson@colorado.edu
Billy Nelson, a 2008 Olympian, is in his 12th year as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Buffalo’s cross country and track & field program.
During his time at CU, Nelson has helped recruit athletes who have combined for 122 All-American honors in cross country and indoor and outdoor track. One of his athletes, Pierce Murphy, came to CU as a walk-on, and earned eight All-America awards.
Nelson has assisted with 11 conference championship teams, as well as three NCAA team championships and a pair of NCAA team runner-up finishes while on CU’s staff. Jones was the first Buff during Nelson’s tenure to win an individual NCAA cross country title in 2018 and the following year Joe Klecker was the men’s runner-up.
Prior to joining CU’s coaching staff, Nelson had a successful career. He won the 2011 USATF steeplechase crown, earning a spot on the U.S. roster for the IAAF World Championships. In 2008, Nelson placed second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials to earn a spot on the U.S roster at the Olympic Games in Beijing.
At CU, he was a decorated distance runner, earning six All-America honors and three Big 12 conference titles. Nelson was a part of the 2008 men’s track and field team that won the first Big 12 outdoor title for CU, the first conference title since 1947 and was a member of the 2006 NCAA Cross Country Championship team. He ranks second on the all-time performers list in the steeplechase at CU (8:28.85).
Prior to attending CU, Nelson was the 2003 USA Junior Cross Country Champion and Junior 5k champion. He was the top American at the World Junior Cross Country Championships with a 26th-place finish.
The Taft, Calif. native graduated from CU in 2008 with a degree in ethnic studies. Nelson is married to the former Alisa Crane. They have four children, Arabella, Noah, Lonnie Jack and Wyatt Watkins.
