Nelson resigns as head boys basketball coach

By Andy Brown
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Updated: April 4, 2017

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Jason Nelson spent the last four years as the Louisburg High School boys basketball head coach, but after leading the Wildcats to their first state tournament since 2005, Nelson resigned from the position last week.

Jason Nelson walked off the state tournament floor in Salina a month ago following a loss to Bishop Miege.

He had just taken the Louisburg boys basketball team to their first state tournament since 2005 and wrapped up his best season as the Louisburg head coach. It was a good year for him and his Wildcat group.

Despite the success, Nelson won’t be on the sideline next season as he resigned his post as the Wildcat head coach last week, citing family reasons. Although Nelson considers his team a family of sorts, it is his family at home that needs more of his attention.

“It is never easy to step away on your own accord,” Nelson said. “I was joking with some people that it would have been easier had I been fired. My rationale for stepping aside is my kids and family – nothing more and nothing less. My sons are both super active in different sports and Michelle and I assume it’s only going to get worse (with regard to their schedule) as they get older.

“As wonderful as my basketball boys and building administration are, the well-being of Micah, Jonah and my family is paramount. It has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make. I love the coaching job and with the support I received from within my building, it really was one of the most memorable aspects of my career.”

Nelson was the Wildcat head coach for four years and was previously an assistant for one year. Although Nelson created several memories during the run to the state tournament this season, it is his senior classes that have left a lasting impression on him.

“State was obviously a great memory for me and the program,” Nelson said. “I will never forget that. But my favorite memories are every senior night I have been a part of. You’ve got kids who’ve worked their tails off for four years and they get one chance for the game to be about them – not the league, not the substate, not the crowd, but them. Every single senior I’ve had the honor to coach has left their mark on our program and been responsible for where we’ve gotten during my tenure.

“When I took the job, my building administration gave me their goals for the program. We hit them and were working on our own, and while we weren’t finished writing our own book, life happens. That’s the real testament to the players in our program. They’ve never been about their own stats or objectives. They’ve always held the fact that they represent their school and community close and it manifested itself in the constant, tangible improvement we’ve experienced.”

Nelson created a special bond with his players, one that allowed him to bring his two boys – Micah and Jonah – around the team. He has watched the players interact with his kids and it created a family atmosphere around the program.

“Micah is 7 and Jonah is 4,” Nelson said. “My kids are better people for having been around the LHS basketball team and I don’t think that’s the norm for all. I took the job when Jonah was just born and so much of who he is at this point is because of the quality of our boys. It sounds selfish, but what I’ll miss the most is how the players loved my boys. I have countless instances of this and many of them are my most treasured memories.

“My kids not withstanding, I’ll truly miss the competitive nature of the game. I’ve always loved competition and basketball is the most team oriented, competitive sport there is. It’s fast, never goes as anticipated and while personnel is as always paramount, basketball is the one sport that teamwork usually overcomes individual successes. Basketball is the apex of team sports and I’ll miss the hell out of the pregame, in game and postgame coaching.”