Daniel Nolan-- Math, Head Basketball

St. Michael Athletic Director Paul Knapstein introduced the basketball players to their new head coach, Daniel Nolan, in a meeting with players-only after school on Thursday, April 3. Coach Nolan is currently the head basketball coach at Gulf Shores High School, a post he’s held for four years, and has taught math at the school since 2013. Knapstein announced the school has hired him as a full time teacher and coach, replacing Reggie Copeland, who stepped down as the school’s founding basketball coach earlier this spring. Nolan will begin this summer. 

He is a graduate of Auburn University, with a degree in secondary education in Math. For the previous six years, he's taught various Math courses at Gulf Shores High School. 

Nolan will also be the first football coach for the Middle School Cardinals, comprised of 7th and 8th graders from St. Patrick, St. Benedict and Christ the King. His experience as a football coach includes varsity offensive coordinator, head JV football coach, and varsity wide receivers/RB coach, all at GSHS. 

Knapstein believes Nolan will add a lot to the culture of the school and athletic program: “We are excited about Coach Nolan joining our staff.  His teams have shown steady improvement over the years.  His leadership and experience will be a great example for our student athletes.  We are fortunate to find a young coach who can impact our community both as our head basketball coach and the head middle school football coach for our new team next year.”

Faustin Weber, school principal, agrees.  “Coach Nolan will be a good fit here.  I’m excited about the enthusiasm he’ll bring to our school as a young, dynamic coach and teacher," Weber says.

For his part, Nolan is looking forward to becoming a Cardinal:  “I am sincerely grateful to be given the opportunity to become a part of the St. Michael's community. I appreciate Coach Knapstein for trusting me to be the next head basketball coach, and Mr. Weber for allowing me the opportunity to teach. I am excited about this new challenge and look forward to working with students and staff to continue building a competitive basketball program.” 

Nolan leaves behind a program he helped build. When he took over the basketball team as a very young head coach at Gulf Shores in 2015, his teams won just 7 games. By 2018-19, his most recent year, they had improved markedly, going 18-11. Just prior to meeting his new players at St.  Michael, he spoke to his team at Gulf Shores. Nolan, speaking fondly of this time there, says “I am thankful Gulf Shores High School--its administration, faculty, staff, students and community--for these last 6 years. It’s been truly a blessing to start my career at such a great school and community,  and I appreciate all of the support they gave me.”

Nolan, age 29, played several sports in high school while growing up in Albertville, AL,  with basketball as his primary.  He and his wife of two years, Kristin, have a new born girl, Harper.  They worship at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Foley.