'Coach of a lifetime': Timpanogos' Kim Nelson named 2023 NFHS baseball coach of the year

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OREM — Timpanogos' Kim Nelson has built quite a resume in his 40-plus years of coaching.

Now, he can add one more award to his list: National Federation of State High School Associations baseball coach of the year.

The long-time coach, who is entering his 28th season at the helm of the defending 5A state champion Timberwolves, was named the baseball selection for the NFHS Coach of the Year for 2023 Thursday morning. The selections are made by an advisory panel of eight regional representatives, with a chairperson overseeing the eight representatives.

A total of 874 coaches nationally are recognized yearly by the committee in different categories, but only 23 are given national awards.

"I really have a hard time wrapping my mind around this award," Nelson told KSL.com.

Nelson credited the administrators, his players, and his assistants for making the team such a success since he took over the Timberwolves. "If I could, I would change the title to 'program of the year,'" he said.

Timpanogos athletics director Frank Bramall told KSL.com the school is "blessed" to have Nelson not only as "our legendary baseball coach, but a cornerstone of the Timpanogos community."

Bramall said the culture Nelson has created at Timpanogos should be replicated everywhere.

"He truly cares about every athlete he coaches and every student he teaches," Bramall said. "In our book, he's the coach of a lifetime."

Nelson began his career coaching at American Fork before leaving to take over Timpanogos. He has been the only baseball coach since the school opened in Orem in 1996, and has amassed 688 victories and seven state championships, the most recent being in 2023. Nelson won two more titles in his 15-year tenure at American Fork.

The Timberwolves, eyeing a repeat title, begin their first season in 4A with a trip to St. George to participate in the Crimson Cliffs Classic from March 8-10. Joining Timpanogos will be host Crimson Cliffs, Westlake, and American Leadership Academy.