NELSON MARTIN   Defensive Backs Coach

Nelson Martin takes over as the Tiger-Cats defensive backs coach in 2012 after working with the secondary as a guest coach at the Ticats 2011 training camp.  

Last year, Martin served as a defensive assistant at the University of Ottawa after spending two seasons as defensive backs coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  Under Martin’s guidance, Riders safety James Patrick was named a West Division and CFL All-Star after leading the league with nine interceptions in 2009.

Martin spent the 2007 season with the University of Toronto, overseeing the Varsity Blues defensive backs.  He made his CFL coaching debut as a special teams assistant with the Ottawa Renegades in 2003, a position he would hold for two seasons.   In 1994, he served as a guest coach with the Toronto Argonauts.

As a player, he enjoyed a seven-year CFL career with the B.C. Lions after they selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 1981 Canadian Draft.  Martin was the Lions starting safety for five seasons and retired after being named the West Division Most Outstanding Canadian in 1987.  During his career, he helped B.C. make the West Final six times and the Grey Cup final twice, winning a championship in 1985.

Martin and his wife, Pilar, have three children; sons Adrian and Miguel, and daughter Camilla.  

 MARTIN COACHING HISTORY