Nelson Haggerty

Submitted By jd0307 on Sun, 04/18/2021 - 1:08pm

Photo of Nelson HaggertyNelson Haggerty, 47, the director of basketball strategy and operations who helped steer the Mean Green men’s basketball team to two Conference USA championships and its first victory in the NCAA Tournament, died April 16.

“Our hearts hurt for Nelson's family, our men's basketball family, the UNT community and everyone Nelson positively impacted during his life and career,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “Nelson had many special gifts and talents. He was full of positive energy and encouragement, and he will be missed dearly.”

Nelson joined the Mean Green in 2019 after serving as head coach for Midwestern State for eight seasons, becoming the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year twice after leading the team to five NCAA Tournaments and a No. 1 national ranking.

He previously served as associate head coach at MSU and coached at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas; North Shore Senior High School in Houston; Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas; and the University of Central Missouri.

He graduated from Baylor University, where he was an all-conference point guard and had a program-record 699 career assists.

UNT Athletics is organizing support for his wife and children. A public memorial service is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at First Denton, 1100 Malone St.

Photo of Nelson HaggertyNelson Haggerty, 47, the director of basketball strategy and operations who helped steer the Mean Green men’s basketball team to two Conference USA championships and its first victory in the NCAA Tournament, died April 16.

“Our hearts hurt for Nelson's family, our men's basketball family, the UNT community and everyone Nelson positively impacted during his life and career,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “Nelson had many special gifts and talents. He was full of positive energy and encouragement, and he will be missed dearly.”

Nelson joined the Mean Green in 2019 after serving as head coach for Midwestern State for eight seasons, becoming the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year twice after leading the team to five NCAA Tournaments and a No. 1 national ranking.

He previously served as associate head coach at MSU and coached at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas; North Shore Senior High School in Houston; Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas; and the University of Central Missouri.

He graduated from Baylor University, where he was an all-conference point guard and had a program-record 699 career assists.

UNT Athletics is organizing support for his wife and children. A public memorial service is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at First Denton, 1100 Malone St.

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