Troy coach was winner off field, too

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By Marc F. Pendleton, Staff Writer Updated 11:19 AM Wednesday, November 16, 2011

It’s great to watch throwback high school football coaches like Steve Nolan at Troy defy the odds. And that has nothing to do with leaning on a strong running game.

For 28 seasons, Nolan paced the Trojans sideline. Great players and outstanding teams were plenty.

Here’s what you likely didn’t know if you don’t live in Troy: He’s spent the past 15 years coordinating the school’s guidance program.

It was a tough time Monday for the Nolan family when he announced that he had resigned from coaching. What got to him most was reminiscing about helping young teens as only a well-meaning guidance counselor could. He hopes to continue in that position.

Apparently, there was a lot more than X’s and O’s to Nolan.

For many legitimate reasons, a current high school trend is to hire coaches, especially assistants, who aren’t licensed to teach. Nothing wrong with that. But what’s missing is a personal level provided by those who walk the hallways and have an impact on students away from the field.

Athletic Director Jeff Sakal perfectly summed up Nolan’s affect on Troy’s youth.

“Not only the football knowledge, but the life lessons and positive values he instills is unbelievable,” Sakal said. “It’s difficult to see him go.

“I knew the day was coming, but it was an extremely difficult thing to face. It’s like when you’re a little kid, you know something is coming but you sure don’t want to face it.”

That’s the effect Steve Nolan had on a lot of Troy students who didn’t excel in football. That’s a winner.

Contact this writer at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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