| Corky Nelson | |
| Birth Date: | 25 February 1939 |
| Birth Place: | San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Temple, Texas, U.S. |
| Player Years1: | 1961–1963 |
| Player Team1: | Texas State |
| Player Positions: | Center, linebacker |
| Coach Years1: | 1967–1969 |
| Coach Team1: | Harlandale HS (TX) |
| Coach Years2: | 1970 |
| Coach Team2: | North Texas State (DL/LB) |
| Coach Years3: | 1971–1973 |
| Coach Team3: | John Tyler HS (TX) |
| Coach Years4: | 1974–1981 |
| Coach Team4: | Baylor (DC) |
| Coach Years5: | 1982–1990 |
| Coach Team5: | North Texas State / North Texas |
| Coach Years6: | 1991–1996 |
| Coach Team6: | Seguin HS (TX) |
| Coach Years7: | 1997–1998 |
| Coach Team7: | Klein Forest HS (TX) (assistant) |
| Coach Years8: | 1999–2003 |
| Coach Team8: | Mary Hardin–Baylor (assistant) |
| Admin Years1: | 1989–1990 |
| Admin Team1: | North Texas |
| Overall Record: | 48–52–1 (college) |
| Tournament Record: | 0–3 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs) |
| Championships: | 1 Southland (1983) |
Corky Nelson (February 25, 1939 – November 17, 2014) was an American football player and coach. He is known for his coaching stint at the University of North Texas, but was more successful on the high school level.
Nelson was an all-conference center and linebacker at Texas State University–San Marcos, where he was captain of the 1963 team that went undefeated. He began coaching at the high school level soon after his graduation, first at Alamo Heights High School as an assistant, then at Harlandale High School as head coach. He briefly got into the collegiate ranks as defensive line and linebacker coach at the University of North Texas, but left after one season.
In 1971, Nelson became head coach at John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas. In 1973, he guided a Lions team that featured Earl Campbell to a perfect 15–0 season as well as the state championship in the largest classification. Nelson then became defensive coordinator under coach Grant Teaff at Baylor University. In 1982, he was named head coach at North Texas, succeeding Bob Tyler. He was also named the school's athletic director in 1989. Following the 1990 season, his contract was not renewed.[1]
Nelson died on November 17, 2014.[2]