ROCK ISLAND -- Augustana Director of Athletics, Mike Zapolski, has announced the hiring of John Nelson as the sixth head coach of Augustana softball.

"John brings a proven record of success to the Augustana softball program, and I am confident that his local, regional and national contacts will pay positive dividends on the recruiting front. John will build a positive team culture and further improve the program's competitiveness."

Nelson comes to Augustana after serving as the head coach of Rockridge High School in Milan, Ill. During his time at Rockridge, Nelson has won all four state titles his team has appeared in, also becoming one of three IHSA softball teams ever to win three titles in a row. Since 2014, the Rockets have boasted a 48-5 postseason record (.906 winning percentage) and has racked up 22 straight playoff wins. In 2023, the team went undefeated and was Trac West champions, the eighth straight year of winning at least a share of the conference crown. Additionally, Rockridge is the only program in IHSA history to finish as undefeated state champions in back-to-back seasons. The Rockets have not lost two games in a row under Nelson since 2014. Every freshman player who has played all four seasons with Rockridge since 2015 has won a state title.

On a state level, Nelson holds two IHSA state records, ranking first in 2A with the most state appearances with six. He also has the most state titles with four of any 2A coach. In 2023, his team hit 88 home runs, which is a state record. One player, Payton Brown, hit 27, also a state record. The program's 73 consecutive wins from 2019-2023 is No. 1 in the IHSA record books as well.

His record at Rockridge over 9 seasons is 279-48 (.804 winning percentage), averaging 31 wins per season. He was named the Illinois Coaches Association Sectional Coach of the Year in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

"I am honored, blessed, and humbled to be named the next head softball coach at Augustana College," said Nelson. "I look forward to serving the players in the head coach role while collaborating with them, the assistant coaches and the athletic department to advance the development of a positive championship-winning softball culture. I want to thank Athletic Director Mike Zapolski, Vice President and Dean of Student Life Wes Brooks, as well as many other coaches and professionals with whom I have had the opportunity to meet throughout the interview process. I am privileged to have met many of the softball players, and I am excited to start the journey with these passionate and committed student-athletes. Go Vikings!"   

Nelson grew up in Silvis, Illinois, and graduated from Alleman Catholic High School in 1989, where he would later coach softball for six years under Mike Ebner before taking over as head coach at Rockridge High School in the fall of 2013. He is the president of Heartland Havoc Girls Fastpitch (Illinois ASA Hall of Fame 2007) and has coached several teams since 2005. His teams have won numerous state and national titles and the Havoc '95 team was inducted into the Heartland Havoc Hall of Fame. Many players have developed their softball talents in the Havoc organization and then gone on to play softball collegiately at various levels, including NCAA Division I Power 5 players and others who have gone on to play softball at the professional level. Since 2006, Nelson has been the tournament director of the Heartland Shootout in Moline, one of the largest travel ball tournaments in the state of Illinois.

Nelson earned his Bachelor's Degree from Grand Canyon University in 2022 in Educational Studies.