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Florida basketball: Former Gator named Holy Cross coach

By Matthew Clark

16 Mar 2000: Brett Nelson #10 of Florida drives against Raynardo Curry #11 during the NCAA South Region First Round Game at the Lousiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire/ALLSPORT
16 Mar 2000: Brett Nelson #10 of Florida drives against Raynardo Curry #11 during the NCAA South Region First Round Game at the Lousiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire/ALLSPORT /
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After nearly 40 years as a collegiate head coach, Bill Carmody decided to hang it up. That left a big opening at Carmody’s last destination … Holy Cross. A former Florida basketball player will be stepping in.

On Wednesday, Holy Cross got its 18th head men’s basketball coach in program history … and it’s a former Florida basketball player filling the role.

After the announcement that Bill Carmody was retiring after four years with the Crusaders and nearly 40 years in the college ranks, the Worcester, Massachusetts-based college tapped former Gator Brett Nelson to be its next head coach.

Nelson has spent the last five seasons at Marquette University. The last two of those seasons, he was associate head coach. Marquette was 97-69 during Nelson’s tenure, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament and a bid to the National Invitation Tournament.

“Holy Cross has a rich basketball history while being one of the best academic institutions in the entire country,” Nelson said, in a Holy Cross news release. “I’m eager to lead our student-athletes, and, together, we will work relentlessly to reach new heights as a program.”

https://twitter.com/GoHolyCross/status/1146418318078894080

Last season, the Golden Eagles finished second in the Big East Conference with a 12-6 conference record. In the previous season, Marquette was 21-14 overall and reached the quarterfinals of the NIT.

"“Brett is as good a basketball mind and worker as I have been around in college basketball,” said Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski. “He has made Marquette University and our players better every day that he has been with us.”"

Before his stint at Marquette, Nelson was an assistant coach at Ball State, Drake University, Arkansas and Marshall.

While at Florida, Nelson was a three-year starter for the Gators and a member of four NCAA tournament teams. He played on the 2000 team that reached the National Championship game. At one point Nelson was the all-time leader in 3-pointers made (274) and attempted (689) at Florida.

"“I had the privilege to recruit, coach and develop a close relationship with Brett Nelson. I have never seen a harder worker and a more committed player and coach to the game of basketball,” said former Florida basketball coach and current Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan. Brett has taken that same passion for the game and has developed into an outstanding basketball coach. Holy Cross is filled with passion and rich tradition, and Brett Nelson will embrace Holy Cross’ history.”"

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Last season, Holy Cross finished 16-17 overall and 6-12 in the Patriot League. The Crusaders did reach the second round of the Patriot League tournament before bowing out to Bucknell.

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