Coach Michael Nelson is entering his 2nd season as a Varsity Assistant Coach for the Raiders. In his first season, Michael worked with the infielders and assisted the Raiders to the 6A 2025 State Championship.

Michael graduated from Lassiter High School in 1998 and was part of the program for 2 state runner-up baseball teams in 1995 and 1997 and finished his senior year strong as the team finished 23-6, while playing for Hall of Fame coaching legend, Mickey McMurtry. Michael earned a scholarship to play baseball at Georgia State University and was a 4-year letterman for the Panthers, spending three of the four years as the Panthers starting 2nd baseman.

In 2000, Michael’s stellar play earned him a spot on the All-conference tournament team. After capping off his collegiate playing career, Michael began his successful baseball coaching career with the Georgia State University baseball staff. Michael spent 2 years at Georgia State helping the team to back-to-back conference tournament appearances for the first time in school history.

Michael coached at Pope High School with the Baseball and Fastpitch programs from 2012-2024. Michael assisted the Baseball program to state championship victories in 2013, 2017, and 2022, and four additional state championship appearances in 2016 and 2019, 2023, and 2024. Michael also assisted with the Pope Fastpitch program where he helped guide them to their first trip to Columbus for the State Championship in 2012. Michael assisted the Fastpitch program to state championship victories in 2014, 2019, 2022, and four additional state championship runner-up finishes in 2012, 2018, 2020, 2023.

In 25 seasons, over a span of 13 years, Michael has assisted in 7 State Championships, assisted in 15 state championship finals, assisted in 5 final four finishes, assisted in 2 Elite 8 finishes, and has assisted in making the state playoffs in all 25 seasons.

Michael (Nellie) resides in Woodstock with his wife Carla and daughter Avery.