Nelson Cook

Executive Director

Born in Ontario, Canada, Nelson’s family moved to Southern California while he was in elementary school. The budding athlete played various sports throughout his youth and began coaching while in high school. At the same time, Nelson was exposed to the life-changing message of God’s love for him – Nelson learned that God wanted to have a personal relationship, not a religious habit or experience. He took God at His word and put his trust in Jesus Christ alone for His salvation.

Drafted in 1968, he served in the United States Army for over two years and was discharged in Fairbanks, Alaska. With a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education from the University of North Texas, Nelson found himself working for several para-church ministries, including Campus Crusade, Youth for Christ, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and several churches. The young teacher, who at the time coached football, basketball, and tennis in Richardson, Texas, got married, had children, then moved his family to Orange County in 1987 to take a position with FCA.

In 1995, Nelson’s wife tragically passed, leaving him with three daughters aged 9, 10, and 12. The Lord lent His strength to Nelson, ensuring his family’s needs were met through prayer and strong support from his church and friends.

And then in 1996, the Lord led him to start a new ministry.
In January of 1997, Nelson officially founded the COIN (Coaches of Influence) Ministry.

While directing the coaches ministry, Nelson was a tennis coach at Hope International University for five years. In 2008, the school’s men’s team won the NCCAA National Championship, and Nelson was awarded Coach of the Year. Nelson still serves at Hope International University as its Sports Chaplain.

In 2016, the Lord brought a helpmate, Madeline, into Nelson’s life. Together, they have a blended family of four daughters, four sons-in-law, two stepsons, eight granddaughters, and four grandsons.

Nelson and Madeline live in Placentia, California.

Bob Parsons

Staff, Midwest Regional Rep

Bob has been with COIN since March 2016.

Before joining COIN, Bob served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for 14 years. Prior to that, he and his wife, Lisa, served in Ecuador with Reach Beyond Ministries – Bob as a teacher and Lisa as a nurse. Bob has taught and coached in Kimball and Custer School Districts, both in South Dakota.

Bob’s love of sport has been lifelong; he was a high school all-state basketball player in 1977, played college basketball at South Dakota State University in 1978 for a season and three seasons at Dakota Wesleyan University.

It was in Bob’s senior year of high school that he became a Christian, under the leadership of Pastor Glenn Wessel and the influence of Marly Gjesdal, a WWII veteran who Bob lovingly remembers as a beloved bachelor and mechanic, who “not only fixed my car, but me spiritually by taking me to church and leading me to Christ.”

Bob and Lisa, who were married in 1983, share four children: Caleb, Isaac, Ellie, and Israel.

Mike Ogas

Staff, North Orange County Rep

Mike grew up in Huntington Beach, Ca, and attended Edison high school where he played both football and basketball. It was during this time that he met Nelson Cook at a family camp at Point Loma Nazarene College in San Diego, California. Little did he know how God was going to use this relationship later.

Following high school, Mike played college football for his dad, Dave Ogas, at Santa Ana College where he earned a scholarship to Cal State Northridge. Following that period of his life, in 1999, Mike ended up at Mini-Camp with the St. Louis Rams. Mike eventually ended up playing for the NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire in 2000. It was at this time when Mike would suffer an injury that ended his playing career. At this point, Mike felt the calling to pursue an education and become a PE teacher/football coach. Mike has now spent the last 21 years coaching football at the high school and junior college level.

In every phase of Mike’s life, he says, God has been faithful. He has cherished Proverbs 16:9, which says, “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Mike and his wife, Ashley, have a son, Vinton, and a daughter, Tatum. The Ogas family resides in Tustin, California, and attend and serve as shepherding elders at Mariners Church in Irvine.

Greg Pappas

Support Staff, Long Beach Rep

After five years of serving as Athletic Director and head coach of the men’s basketball team at Hope International University in Fullerton, California, Greg retired after the 2009 season.

Prior to coming to Hope International, Greg served as an Assistant Coach at Azusa Pacific University for three years and 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 but eventually lost in the NAIA semifinal game.

Before going to APU, Greg spent 20 years coaching at the high school level. Greg was the first basketball coach at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach when the program started in 1998, served as head coach at Rowland High School for six years, leading them to the playoffs in four of those years, and was named San Gabriel Valley Tribune Coach of the Year in 1991.

Greg holds a Bachelors in Business from Long Beach State University, as well as a Masters in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University, Greg resides in Long Beach with his wife, Lisa and his two sons, Jordan and Brandon.

Sam Hieronymus

Support Staff, Riverside Rep

Sam is a graduate of Washington State University. Post college, Sam wrestled with Athletes in Action for six years and served as a member of staff with Campus Crusade for Christ Coaches and high school ministry. Happily married to Jan Hieronymus, Sam and Jan have three children and eight grandchildren. Presently, Sam is involved with the Ambassadors Of Compassion Character development program.

Tim Sweeny Sr.

Support Staff, Western Arizona Rep

Coach Tim Sweeney Sr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, but he considers himself a native Californian. Educated in Long Beach, Tim was blessed to have been part of several championship basketball teams at L.B. Poly High School, Long Beach City College, and Chapman College, where he received a basketball scholarship.

Tim and his wife Charye, his high school sweetheart, have been teammates and mentors to players at Mt. San Antonio College, Fullerton College, Hope International University, Chapman University, Poly High, and Lakewood High School.

In 2002, Coach Sweeny along with a few Christian coaches helped launch a COIN Coaches Fellowship Group. Tim holds Philippians 4:13 close to his heart: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”