 A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Nord played tight end for the Cardinals from 1975 to 1978 and served as offensive coordinator for the Cardinals from 1989 to 1994 under legendary coach Howard Schnellenberger, helping the Cardinals upset #25 Alabama in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl by a score of 34–7.Nord followed Schnellenberger to Oklahoma, where he served as offensive coordinator for the 1995 season.After spending the 1996 season as the wide receivers coach at Pittsburgh under Johnny Majors, Nord joined Charlie Bailey's UTEP staff as offensive coordinator in 1997.