The Tucson Sugar Skulls have hired Malcolm Nelson as a defensive assistant coach. Nelson served as the defensive line, linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for the Indoor Football League’s Iowa Barnstormers the past two seasons. While there, he worked with Sugar Skulls head coach Marcus Coleman, who was the Iowa defensive coordinator.
“Coach Nelson gives us the familiarity and experience that we need for a new team,” Coleman said. “Our experience together gives us a head start on putting our team together with a common philosophy and goals.”
Nelson played two seasons (1989-90) at Clemson before transferring to Kent State. He served as an assistant coach at Livingstone College for six years. He spent the summer of 2011 with the Pittsburgh Steelers as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Coach Coleman to bring a championship to Tucson,” Nelson said. “I’m particularly excited about working with a new franchise and with a new opportunity in a great community.”
The expansion Sugar Skulls are scheduled to open their inaugural season in March.
