Maddy Nilles

Maddy Nilles was promoted to a full-time assistant coach for throws in September of 2022 after serving the 2021-22 season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Husker throwers.

In 2024, Husker throwers continued to excel on the conference and national level, earning five First-Team All-America honors, crowning three Big Ten Champions, breaking three school records and hitting 23 all-time marks. Rhema Otabor highlighted the season, winning her second-straight NCAA title in the javelin with a mark that is the collegiate record, NCAA meet record and Bahamian record. Axelina Johansson took third in the outdoor shot put, Eniko Sara finished fifth in the javelin, Kevin Shubert placed eighth in the outdoor shot put and Henry Zimmerman finished seventh in the weight throw at the NCAA Championship meets.

In 2023, Nilles helped coach a historic season for Nebraska throwers, with Johansson (shot put) and Otabor (javelin) capturing NCAA outdoor titles. Husker throwers accomplished five school records, 25 total top-ten marks, eight conference titles and 13 All-America honors throughout the season.

In her first season as a volunteer assistant, Nilles helped coached a throws group that combined for seven All-America honors, four school records and 13 top-10 marks in program history in 2022. 

Before coming to Nebraska, Nilles was a thrower under Nebraska interim head coach Justin St. Clair while at North Dakota State. With the Bison, Nilles was a four-time All-American in the hammer and weight throw and a two-time Summit League champion. Named the 2018 Summit League Outdoor Championships Field MVP, she placed fifth at the USA Indoor Championships and was an Olympic Trials participant.

"It is an honor to be able to work for such a prestigious program," said Nilles. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a motivated coaching staff to take the track and field program to new heights. Coach St. Clair has been my coach and mentor for the last eight years and having the chance to work directly with him is a dream come true.

"I hope to assist in developing the throws program and bring lots of energy to the team. Having been through coach St. Clair's program as an athlete, I understand what is expected and when and how things should be done. Transitioning to the coaching side, I hope to be a valuable tool not only for coach and the throws group, but also the athletes and coaching staff of the entire track and field program."