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Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830
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January 11, 2011
Susan Beasy Latto, Director, Media and Public Relations 218 726-8830 slatto@d.umn.edu
Bob Nygaard, Dept of Athletics Communications Director 218 726-8191 bnygaard@d.umn.edu

UMD FOOTBALL COACH BOB NIELSON LANDS ANOTHER
PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL COACH-OF-THE-YEAR HONOR

There aren't many postseason honors which have eluded the grasp of Bob Nielson during his prosperous 18-year collegiate head coaching career, but the American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award was one of them.

Bob Nielson with team & NCAA Division II trophy.

Until now.

Today, the AFCA named Nielson its 2010 Division II Coach of the Year, one day after he received a similar national award from Liberty Mutual. Under Nielson's expert guidance, the University of Minnesota Duluth went 15-0 this past fall and captured its second NCAA Division II title in three years. In addition, the Bulldogs reigned as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference champions for a third straight year (a program first) and produced some 16 All-NSIC North Division picks and three All-Americans.

In his eight seasons with the Bulldogs (1999-2003 and 2008-present), Nielson has rolled up a 79-21 record, won four NSIC crowns and earned four NCAA II playoff berths. His .790 career winning percentage is by the far best of any coach in the 78-year history of Bulldog football. Nielson, 51, previously served as the head coach at Ripon College (1989-90), Wartburg College (1991-95) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1996-98) and is now owns a 149-54-1 career coaching mark.


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