Nolan Hired As Head Basketball Coach, Teacher for 2019-2020

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. 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 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.”

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.” 

In discussing the basketball program, Faustin Weber, school principal, reflects on the first three years:  “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. At the same time, let me take this opportunity to publicly thank Coach Copeland for his three years of service to our kids and school. In our first year, with just 99 students, we couldn’t afford to hire a full time coach, and I don’t think the team really wanted me to be their coach!  I  don't know how we could have done it without Coach Copeland.  He’s been more than a coach here:  he’s chaperoned dances, counseled players with academic problems, attended school functions, cheered loudly and proudly for our kids.  From the beginning, he was “all in,” and we will always consider him among our founders. We wish him God’s blessings.” 

Nolan, too, 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 sport.  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. 

For an article about the hire on al.com, go here.