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Coach's Profile

As head coach of the Saints since the 1999-2000 season, Rob Nielson has guided the Saints to an impressive run of conference championships and NWAACC tournament appearances and finishes. In 2005-06 the Saints won their fourth consecutive Southern League Championship going undefeated in league play with a 14-0 record and finished with a 28-4 overall record. This comes on the heels of a 27-4 record the previous year. The Saints have won more league games in the NWAACC team over the past 5 years than any other team. The 2006-07 year saw the string of league championships come to an end as the Saints placed second in the Southern region, just behind the eventual NWAACC champions. The Saints have developed into one of the top programs in the NWAACC with solid teams that travel to play outside competition on a yearly basis. "Playing other leagues gives our players a chance to compete at higher levels and allows coaches to see them on a different stage, I think this has helped our players who desire to go on and play at the next level". Built upon a solid foundation of quality student athletes, the Saints combine a stingy man to man defense with an up-tempo offense to play a style of basketball that is fun to play and fun to watch. With all of the success of the teams, Nielson feels like the greatest success is what the players do off of the court. "It is important that players get along with each other and build relationships that will allow them to be successful in all aspects of their lives." Many players continue on at four year programs with 9 Saints players currently enrolled and playing at colleges and universities.

Nielson came to MHCC from Brigham Young University Hawaii where he was a player from 1982-85 and had been the assistant coach since 1990. While Nielson was at BYUH, the Seasider's advanced to the NAIA national tournament three times and made it to the Final Four for the first time in school history. Nielson worked with two first team All-Americans and several academic All-Americans. Recruiting from across the United States as well as several foreign countries has allowed him to meet many great high school and college coaches, which is a boost at recruiting time. "Having players from many different countries has given me an insight to people which is one of the many things I bring from my experience at BYUH." Over the years, the Seasiders' grew into a National Powerhouse. Top twenty rankings became the rule rather than the exception. Nielson feels that strong defense was the key to winning. "I worked extensively on the defensive end of the court and feel that is a strength which I bring to Mt Hood. I love to see a great defensive team and look to build that type of program with the Saints."

"I am enjoying working in the NWAACC. I sense a very good feeling between the coaches in the league. The desire to win is high but the value of the game will not be compromised in order to win. This is a very tough league with a great tradition. I hope that I can develop teams that will compete on the court and players who will compete on the court and in the classroom. I expect my players to go to class and graduate on time."

In addition to his experience at BYUH, Nielson coached at Utah State University under Coach Kohn Smith. "My time at Utah State was very valuable because of the time spent in the film room learning about game preparation and the importance of video and a player’s progress." The Aggies were very competitive and finished in the top of the Big West during Nielson's time in Logan. Before USU, Nielson worked at the Junior College level at Dixie Junior College in St. George, Utah. While at Dixie, the Rebels were 79-20 with a school record 27 game-winning streak.

Nielson enjoys his role as the Saints head coach. He is also busy in his favorite role, that of father to his four sons, Corey, who is playing for BYU Hawaii, Riley, currently serving a church mission in Pennsylvania, Robbie, is a junior that will be playing for Barlow High School, and Quinn, who will be competing at the eighth grade level for Gordon Russell Middle school. "I've got a wonderful wife and she does a great job as mom and referee. Kathy has been very supportive over our twenty-four years together.” Kathy is busy with her many roles as Mom and is also very involved in interior decorating.