NELSON HAGGERTY

Nelson D. Haggerty was born on Emporia, Kansas on September 16, 1973 to his mother Rose Haggerty and father Reginald Sharpe, and joined his savior Jesus Christ in Heaven on April 16, 2021. Nelson was an American basketball coach and college basketball player, and an all-around basketball legend. He had been serving as an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green at the time of his death. He played for the Baylor Bears, staying four years; in 1994–95 he led the NCAA Division I in assists, averaging 10.1 per game. He is the all-time leader for career assists for Baylor with 699. He has been loved and respected by thousands of players he helped developed in their athletic careers and helped foster their personal growth as men in their communities.

He was born and raised in Houston, Texas where he is still loved and remembered as a pillar of his community. His love for basketball started at a young age, playing in local community leagues and finding his way onto any court. Haggerty graduated from Willowridge High School in 1991 and moved to Waco, Texas where he was recruited and signed with Baylor University. Haggerty became the starting point guard for the Bears, and in his sophomore year he started 25 of 26 games. On February 27, 1993 in a game against Oral Roberts, Haggerty recorded 19 assists, a career high and the Baylor all-time record for most assists in a single game. Haggerty played 4 seasons at Baylor University, leading the NCAA in assists during his senior year. Nelson went on to coach from 1997-2019, including 8 seasons with Midwestern State, where he became one of the most successful coaches in program history. He was named National Association of Basketball Coaches regional coach of the year in 2012. Haggerty was part of the coaching staff that helped lead the Mean Green to their first-ever NCAA tournament win last month, when #13 North Texas beat #4 Purdue 78-69 in the first round on March 19. Haggerty’s legend preceded him throughout his entire career as a powerhouse coach.

Nelson is survived by his Mother Rose Haggerty, Wife Krissie, Brother Derus Haggerty, his wife Shonita and their children, Brother Austen Ford, sons Boston and Darien, and daughters Aveya, Aniya, and Ayona, and a host of nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends who had become part of his extended family. He had created a brotherhood with the many men he played basketball with and forged relationships for a lifetime. He is preceded in joining the Lord by his grandparents Uler and Zeffer Haggerty and many loving family members. His memory and legacy is carried on by the thousands of players he shared the court with and coached over his 20+ year career.