Nehls starts his third season as the Pitching Coach at ESU.
In 2021, Under Nehls, Jake Barton was a 3rd team All-MIAA selection. Barton was Top 10 in Innings Pitched (72), Opponents Batting Avg (.246) and Strikeouts (75). Jared Kengott was also in the Top 10 in Strikeouts (74).
In the shortened 2020 season, The ESU Pitching Staff was 4th in the MIAA in ERA (4.94), 3rd in total BB’s (64), 2nd in BB/9 (3.47). Kengott was Top 10 in ERA (4th-3.00) and BAA (2nd-.200). Barton was Top 10 in Innings Pitched (8th-34.1), Strikeouts (3rd-52) and Wins (10th-3). Jarrett Seaton was also in the Top 10 in ERA (10th-3.57), BAA (8th-.217), and Saves (6th-3).
Before his return to ESU, Nehls was the Head Coach at William Woods University.
In 2019, the WWU pitching staff was third in the AMC with a 4.63 ERA, ranked second in walks and walks per game, third in strikeouts per game and fourth in opponent batting average. During the Owls second season (2018) under Nehls, WWU went 31-24 on the season and 17-13 in the AMC. The Owls ranked #20 in the country at one point during the season. Not only did the Owls succeed on the field but also in the classroom as 25 players earned Academic All-AMC honors. Ten players earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors, the most of any baseball team in the nation. During Nehls first season in 2017, the Owls had three All-Conference and the first AMC Dual Position Player of the Year winner. The Owls made an AMC postseason run and finished in third place, one game away from qualifying for the NAIA Baseball National Championship.
Prior to William Woods, Nehls spent five seasons as the pitching coach at Dodge City Community College. He was a part of a NJCAA World Series team in 2015 and the first 40 win seasons in Dodge City history in 2015 and 2016. During his time, Dodge City accumulated 171 wins and had an overall record of 171-119. In 2015, Nehls' pitching staff led the Jayhawk Conference with a 4.09 ERA and 441 strikeouts.
Nehls was the pitching coach at Cloud County Community College in 2011, where he helped the staff break the school record for team ERA with a 3.75 ERA. In 2009, Nehls was the pitching coach at Barton County Community College. He also was an assistant coach for the Emporia AAA Legion team that summer, and was the head coach for the Emporia Aeros fall baseball program.
As a player Nehls was a part of two MIAA championship teams at Emporia State and won 17 games in his two years as a starter. During his senior year, Nehls helped the Hornets to a 50-10 record, and a MIAA record 35-game win streak. After graduation he played Independent Professional Baseball with the Evansville Otters and Harlingen Whitewings. Nehls started his collegiate baseball career at Barton CC. He was a starting pitcher for the Cougars from 2005-06. His sophomore year he led Barton in victories, ERA, and strikeouts.
Nehls graduated from Hays HS and received his bachelor's degree in Recreation from Emporia State. Nehls and his wife, Ashley have three children Kyndal, Hudson and Chance.
