CONWAY, S.C. — Coastal Carolina head football coach Ryan Beard announced the hiring of Nelson Fishback as the program's special teams coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach.
"Nelson is an outstanding addition to our program," Beard said. "He brings experience in both special teams and offensive development. His attention to detail and ability to develop players will elevate our program."
Fishback joins the Chanticleers after serving as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at New Mexico State University, where he oversaw all phases of special teams while also working closely with the tight end position group. Under his direction, New Mexico State's special teams unit finished the season ranked No.2 among Group of Five programs and No.22 nationally in FBS with an 80.7 grade from Pro Football Focus.
During his tenure with the Aggies, Fishback coached nine all-conference specialists and six All-American selections from 2020–24, helping establish one of the nation's most consistent and productive special teams units.
Prior to his time at New Mexico State, Fishback spent three seasons at Missouri State, where he served as tight ends coach and added co-special teams coordinator responsibilities in 2023 under Beard. During his time in Springfield, Fishback contributed to both offensive development and special teams execution.
Fishback also coached at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, serving as wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator, where he was responsible for all special teams units. In 2018, he served as interim quarterbacks coach and offensive and special teams graduate assistant at Louisville. He also held roles as an offensive assistant and interim wide receivers coach at Western Kentucky, where he began his coaching career as a student assistant.
As a player, Fishback was a quarterback at Western Kentucky from 2013–16, competing in one of the nation's most productive offenses. During the 2015 season, the Hilltoppers ranked among the top five nationally in total offense, finished the year 12–2, won the Miami Beach Bowl, and concluded the season ranked 24th in the Associated Press Top 25.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to join Coastal Carolina and be part of this program," Fishback said. "Special teams is a critical phase of the game, and I look forward to building units that are disciplined, physical, and consistently make an impact."
Fishback earned his bachelor's degree in sports management and his master's degree in recreation and sport administration from Western Kentucky.
NELSON FISHBACK QUICK FACTS
Playing Career
Western Kentucky — Quarterback
Coaching Career
2016–17 — Western Kentucky (Student Assistant – Quarterbacks)
2018 — Louisville (Interim Quarterbacks Coach / Offensive and Special Teams Graduate Assistant)
2019 — Snow College (Wide Receivers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator)
2020–22 — Missouri State (Tight Ends/Co-Special Teams Coordinator)
2023 — Missouri State (Tight Ends/Special Team Coordinator)
2024–25 — New Mexico State (Tight Ends Coach and Special Teams Coordinator)
