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Brett Nelson was a star guard at the University of Florida.

A storied high school career in basketball-crazy West Virginia. Four years with SEC powerhouse Florida. A short professional career. Now Brett Nelson, the newest member of the Colorado State coaching staff, is ready to apply his wealth of basketball experience as he makes the transition from full-time player to coach.

Nelson was hired in the offseason to fill the position of Director of Basketball Operations, an opening that came up when Pat Eberhart departed to take the head coaching position at CSU-Pueblo.

“One of the assistants at Florida knew Coach Layer,” Nelson said. “I was done playing and I wanted to get into coaching. This looked like a great situation because Coach Layer is a great man. I interviewed with Coach Pete (assistant coach Bill Peterson) and Coach Layer and things worked out.”

Nelson said that his role primarily involves handling such administrative duties, making recruiting phone calls, sending letters to recruits, and serving as a liaison to the academic community and the administrative personnel within the university.

“This is an entry level position, my first job,” he said. “Down the road, I'm looking to get in as a full-time assistant and then hopefully as a head coach someday.”

Nelson has spent the last two years playing professionally in Sweden. He also tried out for the NBA's New York Knicks and spent some time in the Continental Basketball Association. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2003 where he played an illustrious four seasons under coach Billy Donovan. As a guard, Nelson was a three-year starter and is the school record-holder in three-pointers made (274), second all time in steals (199), sixth in assists (406), and 14th in all time scoring (1,416 points). He also ranks as one of Florida's most clutch post-season players, holding the school record in NCAA Tournament action for all time steals (22), assists (35), and three-point field goals made (26).

Needless to say, Nelson brings to CSU vast experience in big-time college basketball, winning championships, and overall intensity that he developed while playing for the Gators.

“While at Florida, I played with some really good ones…Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies), Udonis Haslem (Miami Heat), Donnell Harvey, Matt Walsh, Anthony Roberson, David Lee,” Nelson said. “It was a great experience playing in the National Championship game against Michigan State my first year, winning two SEC titles, going to the NCAA Tournament four times, expecting to win night in and night out. There was nothing else.

“In the SEC every single night, I don't care if you're home or away, it's a battle. You can be 14-0 going into a game where the other team is 0-14 and its going to be a battle night in and night out. That's just the nature of the SEC.”

Nelson is originally from West Virginia where he had an illustrious prep career. He was the 1999 West Virginia Player of the Year and McDonald's All-American after averaging 31.9 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds a game as a senior. He was an All-State selection three straight years and is the all-time three-year scoring leader in state prep history.

He's proud of his West Virginian heritage.

“West Virginia only has 1.8 million people in the whole state,” Nelson said. “There aren't too many huge schools. Basketball is the main thing. A way of life in West Virginia. Jerry West is the most famous athlete to come from the state; I mean, shoot, he's the NBA logo.”

Because of his exceptional results at the prep level, Nelson was exposed to the most fervent levels of recruiting.

“I narrowed my list down to three schools where I took visits: Kentucky, Duke, and Florida. I had gotten to know Billy Donovan in seventh grade. He had just gotten the Marshall head coaching job and I lived 20 minutes from Huntington, West Virginia. I formed a relationship with him in seventh grade and felt loyal to him. I just couldn't tell Coach Donovan no.”

In the short time he has been in Fort Collins, he sees many of Donovan's qualities in CSU head coach Dale Layer.

“Both Coach Donovan and Coach Layer are intense, very passionate about the game and have a high basketball IQ. Coach Donovan is very, very, very intense; all day, everyday, nonstop. He puts you through so much adversity that there's nothing you won't see in a game. Coach Layer and Coach Donovan are very similar.

“When you're in college, you have your ups and downs. You get chewed out but in the end I realize now that I'm older that he (Donovan) loves me and cares about me. At times in college you think your coaches are against you. When it comes down to it, they really do care. And you realize how much the coaching relationships mean to you.”

Nelson has seen his share of collegiate talent, and in his short time at CSU has already formed opinions on CSU's talent level. He likes what he sees.

“Jason Smith is a 7-footer who is very athletic; he'll be a lottery pick in my opinion. Michael Harrison is a very talented big man with a lot of upside. I have no doubt that Jason and Michael could play anywhere, in any conference in the country. Corey Lewis is very impressive; he's what a point guard should be. He gets everybody involved. Obviously, Michael Morris is very talented.”

And Nelson said he is enjoying For Collins so far.

“I really like it in Fort Collins. Its not too big, there's a lot to do. The cold weather doesn't bother me. I like it. It's safe, and clean, and a nice place to live.”

“My dream job would be a head coach in the SEC or ACC at a major school. I grew up right next to Kentucky so I would love to coach there or go back to my alma mater in Florida. I just think that with the SEC, I know what it's all about.”

Lofty goals indeed. But not out of the question for someone who is used to achieving at the highest levels of college basketball. A tremendous player in transition on the court, Brett Nelson is well on his way toward making a successful transition outside the lines.