Getting to Know Coach Fishback
Nelson Fishback joined the Missouri State staff in 2020. After serving as the Bears tight end coach his first three seasons, he added co-special teams coordinator to his job duties in 2023 under new head coach Ryan Beard.
During the 2022 campaign, freshman Lance Mason emerged as one of the club's top tight ends, racking up 12 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown in his first season with junior Stetson Moore adding additional firepower as a versatile blocker and pass receiver.
In 2021, Ron Tiavaasue led MSU’s tight ends with 14 catches and a pair of TDs, while Isaac Smith capped his career with a 12-reception effort, including a clutch performance in the FCS playoffs vs. UT Martin.
During his first season in Springfield in 2020-21, he orchestrated a position group led by veteran Isaac Smith and transfer Ron Tiavaasue who combined for 18 pass receptions on the season, including Smith’s game-winning score against Western Illinois in the MVFC opener.
Fishback served the 2019 season as wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. During his time at Snow, he was in charge of all six special team units and was pivotal in game planning, strategy and opponent scouting.
Prior to his season at Snow College, Fishback was the interim quarterbacks coach as well as an offensive and special teams graduate assistant at Louisville for the 2018 season.
Fishback previously served as an interim offensive assistant coach and worked with wide receivers coach at his alma mater Western Kentucky University from 2016-17. He was also a student assistant for the Hilltoppers for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, helping WKU to a CUSA title in 2016 and victories in the Boca Raton Bowl and Cure Bowl. The 2016 Hilltoppers were the nation’s top-scoring offense at 45.5 points per game.
As a quarterback at Western Kentucky from 2013-16, Fishback was a member of one of the top-scoring offenses in the country. During the 2015 season, WKU ranked in the top 5 in the Nation in offense. Western Kentucky finished the 2015 season ranked 24th in The AP Top 25, and finished 12-2 with a win in the Miami Beach Bowl over South Florida.
Fishback holds two degrees from Western Kentucky: a B.S. in Sports Management and a Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Administration.
