Nelson Cook Bio
He knew they had tremendous influence with kids, but they also had many challenges, burdens, and pressures on them and their families.
As the Lord put on his heart a ministry to coaches (all sports, all levels), a plan to develop it began to emerge in late 1996. Nelson shared the vision with a close and special friend, Terry Franson, V.P. of Student Affairs at Azusa Pacific University. Terry suggested that he meet with Steve Quatro, Director of Sports Outreach Los Angeles (SOLA). Steve thought the vision was a terrific idea. A couple of people from the SOLA Board met with Steve, Nelson, and Terry, and they formulated a plan to start COIN (COaches of INfluence) under the banner of SOLA in January 1997. The first official Coaches Fellowship began in March of 1997. In November of 2004, COIN became an official 501c3 tax exempt corporation, independent of Sports Outreach Los Angeles. COIN has a Board of Directors who are fully bought into Nelson’s leadership and vision to reach coaches.
Nelson Cook Bio
He went to South Dakota State University on a basketball scholarship, 1977-78, where he was introduced to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Bob transferred to Dakota Wesleyan University in 1978. He participated in football, basketball, tennis, golf and ran track. He was also part of the leadership team for the FCA Campus Ministry. He attended his first FCA Camp, Estes Park, CO, 1979. He graduated with an education degree and coaching certificate for several sports in 1982. Bob met Lisa in February of 1982. Lisa was a nursing student at DWU.
Bob was a teacher/coach in Kimball, SD, 1982-84. He taught 8th grade and coached football, basketball and track. Bob and Lisa were married 1983.
Bob was a teacher/coach with the Custer School District, and Lisa was a nurse at the hospital in Custer, SD, 1984-96. Bob taught 5th grade and coached basketball at the middle school levels. Many of his players went on to play in state championship basketball games for Coach Larry Luitjens. Their four kids were born while in Custer (Caleb ’86, Isaac ’89, Ellie ’92, Israel ’95).
Bob, Lisa and family moved to Edinburgh, TX, 1996-97 to learn Spanish at the Rio Grande Bible Institute. They had accepted a call to be missionaries with HCJB World Radio (now Reach Beyond, Colorado Springs, CO). They moved to Ecuador, South America, where Bob taught at the Nate Saint Memorial School and Lisa was a nurse in Hospital Vozandes Oriente, where they served 1997-2001.
Bob, Lisa and family moved back to Custer, SD, where he served on staff with FCA 2001-15. Lisa is one of the nurses in Custer school and the nurse at Wedgwood, an assisted living facility for the elderly. Bob grew the FCA ministry in West River SD.
Bob joined the COIN Sports Outreach February 2016 and brings it to SD. He would like to see the slogan, “to and through the coach” realized through his ministry. Bob has been partnering with Wade Salem, Character Matters (CM), for several years. Currently there are over 30 coaches using the CM coaching curriculum in western SD. Bob also enjoys doing events. Last April, he planned and organized an outreach, Night of Champions, with Tim Tebow. This year’s events were with Jim Ryun, March 23, and Bethany Hamilton (Soul Surfer), March 31, in Rapid City, SD.
Nelson Cook Bio
Pappas served as an Assistant Coach at Azusa Pacific University for three years. He was part of two Golden State Athletic Championship teams in those three years, including the 2000-2001 team that won a school record 35 games and lost in the NAIA semifinal game. Before going to APU, Pappas spent twenty years coaching in high school. Pappas was the first basketball coach at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach when the program started in 1998. Pappas served as head coach at Rowland High School for six years, leading them to the playoffs in four of those years. He was named San Gabriel Valley Tribune Coach of the Year in 1991.
Pappas earned his Bachelors in Business from Long Beach State University in 1981. In 1987, he earned his Masters in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University. Pappas resides in Long Beach with his wife, Lisa, and two sons, Jordan and Brandon.
Pappas also served as the Men’s Interim Head Coach during the 2003-2004 season and as an assistant coach under former head coach Tim Sweeney Sr. during the 2002-2003 season.
Before going to APU, Pappas spent twenty years coaching in high school. Pappas was the first basketball coach at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach when the program started in 1998. Pappas served as head coach at Rowland High School for six years, leading them to the playoffs in four of those years. He was named San Gabriel Valley Tribune Coach of the Year in 1991.
Pappas, who also served as Hope’s Athletic Director, earned his Bachelors in Business from Long Beach State University in 1981. In 1987, he earned his Masters in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University. Pappas resides in Long Beach with his wife, Lisa, and two sons, Jordan and Brandon.
Nelson Cook Bio
He went to South Dakota State University on a basketball scholarship, 1977-78, where he was introduced to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Bob transferred to Dakota Wesleyan University in 1978. He participated in football, basketball, tennis, golf and ran track. He was also part of the leadership team for the FCA Campus Ministry. He attended his first FCA Camp, Estes Park, CO, 1979. He graduated with an education degree and coaching certificate for several sports in 1982. Bob met Lisa in February of 1982. Lisa was a nursing student at DWU.
Bob was a teacher/coach in Kimball, SD, 1982-84. He taught 8th grade and coached football, basketball and track. Bob and Lisa were married 1983.
Bob was a teacher/coach with the Custer School District, and Lisa was a nurse at the hospital in Custer, SD, 1984-96. Bob taught 5th grade and coached basketball at the middle school levels. Many of his players went on to play in state championship basketball games for Coach Larry Luitjens. Their four kids were born while in Custer (Caleb ’86, Isaac ’89, Ellie ’92, Israel ’95).
Bob, Lisa and family moved to Edinburgh, TX, 1996-97 to learn Spanish at the Rio Grande Bible Institute. They had accepted a call to be missionaries with HCJB World Radio (now Reach Beyond, Colorado Springs, CO). They moved to Ecuador, South America, where Bob taught at the Nate Saint Memorial School and Lisa was a nurse in Hospital Vozandes Oriente, where they served 1997-2001.
Bob, Lisa and family moved back to Custer, SD, where he served on staff with FCA 2001-15. Lisa is one of the nurses in Custer school and the nurse at Wedgwood, an assisted living facility for the elderly. Bob grew the FCA ministry in West River SD.
Bob joined the COIN Sports Outreach February 2016 and brings it to SD. He would like to see the slogan, “to and through the coach” realized through his ministry. Bob has been partnering with Wade Salem, Character Matters (CM), for several years. Currently there are over 30 coaches using the CM coaching curriculum in western SD. Bob also enjoys doing events. Last April, he planned and organized an outreach, Night of Champions, with Tim Tebow. This year’s events were with Jim Ryun, March 23, and Bethany Hamilton (Soul Surfer), March 31, in Rapid City, SD.
Nelson Cook Bio
basketball team. He continued his academic and athletic endeavors moving on to Long Beach City College where he was inducted into the
Hall of Fame Emeritus. Prior to transferring, he and his high school sweetheart, Charye were married. They just celebrated there 55th
wedding anniversary. (Praise God). Coaches walk with Jesus was strengthened by Calvary Chapel, and Pastor Chuck Smith.
After finishing Junior College, He attended Chapman College, receiving is B.A. degree and teaching credential. Along with being a member of a NCAA Basketball Western Regional finalist, he was team captain. He also earned a M.A. degree from College of St. Thomas.
Choosing to pursue a career in teaching and coaching basketball. His journey included coaching basketball at Lakewood High School, Mt. San Antonio College, Fullerton College, and Hope International University. He has had the opportunity to coach several N.B.A players during
his career.
In 2000, he was introduced to Nelson Cook, director of COIN, and has been a COIN leader/staff volunteer for the past 17years. He serves
the Corona Fellowship reaching coaches with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, encouraging and strengthening them in their personal, and professional lives.
Life Verse:
Phillipians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Nelson Cook Bio
Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, and Principal .
His first love has always been his coaching ministry.
He has had the opportunity to be a Head Football Coach, Head Baseball Coach, Head Softball Coach, Head Girls’ Basketball Coach, Head Cross Country Coach, and Head Golf Coach. His career has been one of joy and constant growth.
His wife Diane has been both an inspiration and encourager for the past 36 years.
Coach Ireland has also been blessed with three wonderful children Heather, Geoff, and Carisa.
“The COIN MINISTRY has truly changed my total approach to coaching. I am so grateful to Nelson and the mentoring process I have gone through. I always thought I was doing the very best job I could. COIN has taken me to another level as a faith based coach.”
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We are always looking for coaches to join us in our mission to reach, encourage, and strengthen other coaches. Please contact us if you want to be a part of what God is doing in and through us. Work from home, where you are, with the coaches you are already involved with or go to a new area where you feel God is leading you.