Jason Nelson enters his first year as the Defensive Coordinator for the football program at the University of Chicago in the 2025-26 academic year.
Nelson comes from Union College where he spent the 2024 season as the defensive backs coach. The Garnet Chargers finished the season with a 3-7 record overall, but the defense held their opponents to just 23.5 points per game and 21.3 points per game in Liberty League play.
Prior to his time at Union, Nelson has spent time as a coach at O.H. Platt High School in Connecticut where he was the Defensive Coordinator for his final two seasons. In his final season with O.H. Platt, he led the team to a conference title with his defense allowing just 9.1 points per game in conference play.
During his collegiate playing career, Nelson was a four-year starter for Union College and earned a pair of All-Liberty League selections. He finished his career with 6 interceptions, 21 pass breakups, and nearly 200 tackles for the Garnet Chargers.
Nelson earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science from Union College in 2018.
