Lobos Welcome Back Karley Nelson to UNM Soccer Staff
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team has made a familiar addition to its staff, welcoming back Karley Nelson to the associate head coach position for the Lobos. Nelson was on the Lobo staff from 2015-19 before pursuing other endeavors after the 2019 season.
“Karley helped to build our program at UNM,” said head coach Heather Dyche. “She is integral to everything we do, and I’m beyond thrilled she’s coming home. Her soccer acumen, work ethic, and character are second to none.”
Nelson will be filling a familiar role as she was promoted to associate head coach before the start of the 2019 season. Prior to that, Nelson spent four seasons as assistant coach of the Lobos. In addition to serving as an assistant and associate head coach, Nelson served as the Lobos’ recruiting coordinator.
In her time with the program, Nelson has helped guide the Lobo women’s soccer team to a 55-37-10 overall record and a 32-18-5 mark in Mountain West play. In 2018, with Nelson on staff, the Lobos captured a share of the program’s third regular-season title while also making a second-straight appearance in the MW Tournament Championship Game. That same year, the program set a record for goals scored with 45 and posted second-best marks in assists (33) and points (123).
Prior to coming to UNM, Nelson was an assistant at Utah Valley University in 2014, where she helped direct the team’s training sessions. Before that, the native of Orem, Utah, was an assistant coach at Iowa Western Community College from 2011-13, where she designed and implemented the team’s training regimen. Nelson also assisted with recruiting, academics, team travel, and game management for the team. Iowa Western went 33-6-1 during her two full seasons, with a No. 3 national ranking in 2012 and a No. 5 national ranking in 2011.
Nelson served as a coach at the UK International Soccer Camps in Palo Alto, Calif., in 2010 and was an assistant soccer coach at Cortez High School in Phoenix from 2008-09.
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