Head Coach

Ross Nelson | Head Men's Soccer Coach

Ross Nelson was named head coach for men’s soccer at the University of West Alabama on January 28, 2019. 

“Words simply cannot describe the gratitude that I am feeling at this moment in time,” Nelson said. “I honestly am extremely blessed to have been given the opportunity to lead this great program. 

“I would like to personally thank our Athletic Director Bobby Wallace and all the administration for putting their faith in me,” Nelson said. “There is a history of much success within UWA men’s soccer and I plan to continue this and consistently compete at the national level.”

Nelson served the last three seasons as assistant coach to Matthew Thorne, who recently left West Alabama to assume the head coaching position for men’s soccer at Auburn-Montgomery.

“Ross has played an integral part of our success over the last three years,” Wallace said. “After reviewing the credentials of several good applicants, we believe the best way to continue the success we have enjoyed was to promote Ross and give him the opportunity to continue to make us better.”

The 2022 season saw one of the best defensive teams since the program's inception in 2012. Allowing just 11 goals in 16 matches, opposing teams were only able to muster 9.6 shots per contest against the UWA defense. 

Nelson helped guide UWA to Gulf South Conference championships in 2016 and 2017, including both regular season and tournament championships in 2017. Over his three seasons as an assistant to Thorne, UWA compiled a 34-17-5 record with postseason appearances in each of those years.

“Ross has been an essential component to the men’s soccer program’s preparation, strength and conditioning, scouting and recruiting since coming on board at West Alabama,” Wallace said. “We are certain he is ready to take on a bigger role and be successful.”

Prior to coming to West Alabama, Nelson served on the coaching staff at Tennessee Wesleyan, where he was also an all-conference player and team captain while leading the Bulldogs to an Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season title in 2013.

Nelson was also an all-conference performer and captain in junior college at Georgia Perimeter. He has also played semi-pro for Ballymena United Football Club in Northern Ireland.

Coming to the United States after finishing high school at Larne in Northern Ireland, Nelson has earned an AS Degree in exercise science from Georgia Perimeter, a BS in Exercise Science from Tennessee Wesleyan and a MS in Physical Education from West Alabama.

Nelson and his wife Louise reside in Livingston, and they have a son, Callum.