Dave Nielsen is the former head track and field coach of the men's and women's teams at Idaho State University. Nielsen is known for his pioneering work in the pole vault. As of 2012, Nielsen is entering his 25th year as Head Track and Field Coach. Along with coaching the Bengal track and field athletes and Dragila, Nielsen coached Paul Litchfield and heptathlete Jackie Poulson. He also coached Stacy Dragila, who won a gold medal in the pole vault in the 2000 Summer Olympics. As of 2017, Nielsen has accepted a position at Eastern Washington University as the jumps and multi events coach.