Oklahoma State University Athletics
Nelson Barnes
August 07, 2006 | Cowboy Football
Barnes came to Oklahoma State after spending one season at North Dakota State coaching the Bison's defensive linemen. Barnes' coaching resume is an impressive one, with stops at Nebraska, Kansas State and Texas during his coaching tenure.
Barnes boosted that resumé last season as he helped defensive end Victor DeGrate blossom into an all-conference caliber player as he led the team in sacks and tackles for loss.
He spent six seasons at the University of Nebraska (1997-2002) as the defensive ends coach. Prior to his stint at Nebraska, Barnes spent three seasons (1994-96) coaching the defensive line and one season (1993) at Kansas State in the same capacity.
During his coaching career Barnes has been a part of nine bowl games with three different schools (2002 Rose Bowl, 2000 Alamo Bowl, 2000 Fiesta Bowl, 1999 Holiday Bowl and 1998 Orange Bowl with Nebraska; 1997 Fiesta Bowl, 1995 Sugar Bowl and the 1994 Sun Bowl with Texas; and the 1993 Copper Bowl with Kansas State).
Barnes has been a part of four Division I-AA playoff teams (1991 Western Illinois, 1988 North Texas, 1987 North Texas and 1983 North Texas). He has also been part of six conference championship teams, including the 1999 Nebraska team that won the Big 12 title.
He served on a Nebraska staff that claimed both a Big 12 and National Championship in 1997 and was on the Texas staff when the Longhorns won the 1996 Big 12 title.
Barnes is a native of Alvin, Texas, and he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts from North Texas in 1982. He was a four-year letterman for North Texas from 1977 to 1980.
He is married to the former Cydney Young. The couple had their first child, Magdalene Kay, in 2005.
