Andrew Nelson Named Penn State Football’s Director of Performance Science

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Football Letterman Andrew Nelson (2014-17) has joined the Nittany Lions football program as its new Director of Performance Science.
 
“I would like to thank Coach Franklin for this incredible opportunity,” said Nelson. “It is a tremendous honor for me to come back to a place I love and work for an incredible program I have a lot of pride in. I look forward to working with such a great staff and tremendous group of student-athletes.”
 
Nelson was a four-year letterwinner on the offensive line for the Nittany Lions (2014-17) and appeared in 33 games, making 28 starts. In 2017, he earned the Ridge Riley Memorial Award, sharing the award which represents “sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship” with teammate Troy Apke. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Nelson was named a second-team Freshman All-American by Athlon Sports and Scout during the 2014 season.
 
Nelson comes to Penn State from East Tennessee State, where he was the Lead Performance Coach for Olympic Sports the last three years (2021-24). He was a strength and conditioning graduate assistant coach for the football program prior to that for three years (2019-21).  
 
A Pennsylvania native, Nelson was a three-year letterman at Hershey High School, where he was named a third-team all-state selection during his senior season. He has earned two degrees, including a bachelor’s of science in Kinesiology from Penn State (2017) and a master’s of science in Sport Science and Coach Education from East Tennessee State. He is working towards a PhD in sport physiology and performance from ETSU and intends to graduate this May. He is married to his wife, Caitlyn.
 
With Nelson’s hire, a total of 14 Penn State Football Lettermen are either a member of Penn State Football’s staff or support staff. Nelson joins Deion Barnes (Defensive Line), Ty Howle (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends), Terry Smith (Associate Head Coach/Defensive Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks), Torrence Brown (Defensive Graduate Assistant), Jordan Lucas (Defensive Graduate Assistant), Dan Connor (Defensive Analyst), Tyrone Smith (Assistant Director of Athletic Performance), Alan Zemaitis (Recruiting Coordinator), Todd Kulka (Director Of Football Academic Services), Wally Richardson (Director of the Football Letterman’s Club), Omar Easy (Assistant AD for the Brand Academy), Bobby White (Assistant AD for Premium Seating) and Dan Vasey (Assistant Director of High Performance).
 
Club and ticket information for the 2024 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. To request information to purchase group tickets, click here.