David M. Nelson
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| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
April 19, 1920 Detroit, Michigan |
| Died | November 30, 1991 (aged 71) Newark, Delaware |
| Playing career | |
| 1939–1941 | Michigan |
| Position(s) | Halfback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1946–1947 | Hillsdale |
| 1948 | Harvard (backfield) |
| 1949–1950 | Maine |
| 1951–1965 | Delaware |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1951–1984 | Delaware |
| 1989–1991 | Yankee Conf. (commissioner) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 105–48–6 |
| Bowls | 1–0 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1 NCAA College Division National (1963) 2 MIAA (1946–1947) 1 Yankee (1949) 3 Middle Atlantic (1959, 1962–1963) |
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| Awards | |
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NFF Distinguished American Award (1984) Amos Alonzo Stagg Award (1989) |
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College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1987 (profile) |
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David Moir Nelson (April 29, 1920 – November 30, 1991) was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, author, and authority on college football playing rules. He served as the head football coach at Hillsdale College (1946–1947), the University of Maine (1949–1950), and the University of Delaware (1951–1965), compiling a career record of 105–48–6. During his 15 years as the head coach at Delaware, he tallied a mark of 84–42–2 and gained fame as the father of the Wing T offensive formation. From 1951 to 1984, he served as Delaware's athletic director. In 1957, Nelson was named to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Rules Committee and in 1962 became its Secretary-Editor, a position he held for 29 years until his death, the longest tenure in Rules Committee history. In this role, he edited the official college football rulebook and provided interpretations on how the playing rules were to be applied to game situations. Nelson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1987.
Nelson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Upon graduation from Northwestern High School in 1938, Nelson enrolled at the University of Michigan. As a 5'7", 155-pound halfback, Nelson played football for Fritz Crisler in the same backfield with fellow Northwestern High alumnus Forest Evashevski, and 1940 Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon. In 1941, Nelson led the Wolverines in rushing, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1942 before serving as a lieutenant in the United States Naval Air Corps during World War II. He was awarded three battle stars for his service. After the war, Nelson returned to Michigan as assistant baseball coach, earning a Master of Science degree in 1946.
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