VaRSITY Coaching StaFF

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  rick.nelson@ankenyschools.org 

Rick Nelson Head Football Coach and Physical Education Teacher at Ankeny High School (2015-present).  Coach Nelson’s overall record at Ankeny is 52-24 and 21-4 over the last two seasons. The Hawks won the 4A Iowa High School Football championship in 2020, and were 5A State Runner-up in 2021. Nelson has coached 27 All-Stater’s and his teams have rewritten the record books at Ankeny high school.  His greatest honor is coaching with his son Nick Nelson (Defensive Coordinator) the past 7 seasons. 

Rick is a graduate of Urbandale High School, class of 1979. He played football for Dennis Frerichs and wrestled for Dan Keller. He attended the University of Northern Iowa where he played football for Stan Sherriff and Darrel Mudra. He began his 37-year coaching career at UNI where he was a graduate assistant under Darrell Mudra (1984-1985).

First full time coaching position (Offensive Coordinator) was Garden City Community College in Garden City Kansas (1986-1988).  He coached for Brian McNelly and they won the Jayhawk Conference title in 1988. Spring of 1989 he took a job as the Offensive line at South west Missouri State in Springfield Missouri. He coached for Jesse Branch and Del Miller at Southwest Missouri State for 10 seasons (1989-1998). In 1999 Coach Nelson was named the Head Football Coach at Woodward High School in Woodward Oklahoma. He coached one season at Woodward and left Oklahoma for his dream job the University of Northern Iowa (Offensive Line Coach). Nelson coached 15 seasons at the University of Northern Iowa for Coach Mike Dunbar and Coach Mark Farley. He spent 27 years coaching offensive line at the FCS level.  Nelson coached 22 Division 1-AA All-American Offensive Linemen and 46 All-Conference Offensive Lineman. 

Rick has been married to Jamie Warren Nelson for 37 years and they have two son’s Nick and Wes. Rick enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren McCoy Nelson (8) and Lennon Nelson (6). Family and football take priority in his life. In his free time, you may see Coach Nelson and his wife Jamie riding their motorcycles across the country. 

 brady.walz@ankenyschools.org  

Wide Receivers Coach

 Coach Walz is entering his 7th season (19th season overall) as the Wide Receivers coach at Ankeny HS. Prior to that he was the Offensive Coordinator at Broken Arrow HS in Broken Arrow, OK, and the Run Game Coordinator/OL coach at Jenks HS in Jenks, OK. He is married to his wife Melissa.

2016-present: Ankeny HS (WR) 2020 State Champions

2014-2015: Broken Arrow HS (OC/QB) 2015 State Runner Up

2012-2013: Jenks HS (OL/RB) 2012 & 2013 State Champions

2011: Tulsa University (Asst OL)

2010: Jenks HS (TE) 2010 State Runner Up

2008-2009: TF Riggs HS (OC/QB)

2007: Augustana University (WR)

2006: Tekamah-Herman HS (Head Coach)

2005: Golden HS (OC/QB)

2004: Denver South HS (WR)

 nick.nelson@ankenyschools.org  

 Defensive Coordinator 

 Nick Nelson is the defensive coordinator for the Ankeny Hawks.  He has served as the defensive coordinator since the 2017 season.  Prior to 2017, Nelson served as the defensive backs coach for the Hawks from 2013 – 2016.  Nelson and his family moved to Ankeny in 2013 from Fort Worth, Texas.  Nelson served as the defensive backs coach at Burleson Centennial in Burleson, TX from 2009-2013.  Prior to his coaching experience in Texas, Nelson served as the defensive backs at Lawton high school in Lawton, OK for the 2009 football season.  Nick also teaches US History and Government at Ankeny high school.  Nelson and his wife Amanda live in Ankeny with their two children McCoy – 9 and Lennon – 7.  

 adam.booth@ankenyschools.org  

Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach 

Adam Booth is the offensive coordinator and serves as the quarterback coach for the Ankeny Hawks.  While at Ankeny, he has coached multiple 1st team all-state quarterbacks that include Blaine Hawkins, Jase Bauer and JJ Kohl.   He has served as the offensive line coach for the Hawks in 2013 and 2014.  The Hawks have seen numerous playoff appearances most recently securing a 4A state championship in 2020 and finishing runner up in 2021.  

Prior to coming to Ankeny, Coach Booth was the varsity running backs/special teams for Southeast Polk under Dennis Mueller from 2005-2012.  Coach Booth coached two time 1st team all-state and former Iowa State great Jeff Woody.  While at SEP he help guide the Rams to multiple play-off appearances, finishing runner-up to Cedar Rapids Xavier in 2006 and multiple semi-finals appearances.  

Preceding Southeast Polk, Coach Booth coached offense and defense line for Coach Rick Roberts at Van Meter CSD from 2002-2004, helping the Van Meter Bulldogs to multiple state play-off appearances.  Coach Booth started his coaching journey for Mark Ehlers at Dubuque Hempstead as the sophomore defensive coordinator in 2001.

Coach Booth currently teaches Strength and Conditioning/Health at Southview Middle School along with being an assistant track and field coach.  Coach Booth and his wife McKena live in Ankeny along with children Carson, Braden and Bo. 

 jeff.bauer@ankenyschools.org  

 al.christian@ankenyschools.org 

 wil47@outlook.com  

 mitchell.elbert@dmschools.org  

 michael.mertz@ankenyschools.org  

 jack.wignall@ankenyschools.org 

 codymleander@gmail.com