AURORA | Mark Nolan is departing as head coach of the Regis Jesuit football team.
Regis Jesuit officials could not comment, but confirmed that Nolan is leaving after guiding the Raiders for the past six seasons — with a 49-21 record — and trips to the Class 5A state playoffs every year.
Nolan is leaving to become the head football coach at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona, per the school’s Twitter account. He’s no stranger to Arizona football, as he also has coached at Brophy Prep.
“It’s great professionally and personally,” Nolan told the Arizona Republic. “It’s fabulous for my wife and children to be with extended family. We feel like it’s a homecoming.”
Aurora now has one opening in the prep head football coaching ranks ahead of the 2015 season after Aurora Central, Rangeview, Smoky Hill and Vista PEAK all filled their vacant jobs.
Nolan spent the past three years as director of recruiting for Dan Hawkins at the University of Colorado before he took over the Regis Jesuit program from Mike Woolford in 2009. He brought a college-like two-platoon system with separate offensive and defensive units that do their daily work separately.
The Raiders advanced to the 5A state championship game in 2010 before falling to parochial school rival Mullen at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
MARK NOLAN AT REGIS JESUIT
2014: 10-2 overall (lost to Cherry Creek in 5A state quarterfinals); 2013: 9-2 overall (lost to Grandview in 5A 2nd round); 2012: 5-6 overall (lost to Valor Christian 5A 2nd round); 2011: 5-5 overall (lost to Fairview in 5A 1st round); 2010: 13-1 overall (lost to Mullen in 5A state championship game); 2009: 7-5 overall (lost to Arvada West in 5A state quarterfinals)
