Ryan Nielsen

Ryan Nielsen
	Nielsen in 2023
Minnesota Vikings
Title	Defensive running game coordinator
Personal information
Born	March 20, 1979; Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight	285 lb (129 kg)
Career information
Position	Defensive tackle
High school	Royal (Simi Valley, California)
College	USC (1997–2001)
NFL draft	2002: undrafted
Career history
Playing
	Philadelphia Eagles (2002)*; Los Angeles Avengers (2004);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Coaching
	USC (2002) ; Volunteer assistant; Ole Miss (2005–2007) ; Defensive line coach; Central Connecticut State (2008–2009) ; Defensive coordinator & defensive line coach; UT Martin (2010) ; Defensive line coach & special teams coach; Northern Illinois (2011) ; Defensive line coach & recruiting coordinator; Northern Illinois (2012) ; Co-defensive coordinator, defensive line coach & recruiting coordinator; NC State (2013) ; Defensive line coach & recruiting coordinator; NC State (2014–2016) ; Defensive line coach & run game coordinator; New Orleans Saints (2017–2020) ; Defensive line coach; New Orleans Saints (2021) ; Assistant head coach & defensive line coach; New Orleans Saints (2022) ; Co-defensive coordinator & defensive line coach; Atlanta Falcons (2023) ; Defensive coordinator & defensive line coach; Jacksonville Jaguars (2024) ; Defensive coordinator; Buffalo Bills (2025) ; Senior defensive assistant; Minnesota Vikings (2026–present) ; Defensive running game coordinator;
Operations
	Idaho (2004) ; Administrative assistant;
	Coaching profile at Pro Football Reference
	Stats at ArenaFan.com

Ryan Nielsen (born March 20, 1979) is an American football coach and former defensive tackle who is the defensive running game coordinator currently for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002 as an undrafted free agent.