Mark Nolan
School: Regis Jesuit Raiders, Class 5A, Continental League, 2-0 in 2010, 9-5 career
Coaching resume: Assistant at Willamette University from 1995-96, Gilbert (Ariz.) High School from 1997-2002 and Brophy College Prep in Phoenix from 2003-05; director of recruiting at the University of Colorado from 2006-08. Head coach at Regis Jesuit since 2009.
Lifelines: Age 37. Born in Portland, Ore. Graduated from Cascade High School in Turner, Ore., 1991, and Willamette in 1995, earned degree in history and master’s in education in 1997. Teaches history and physical education at Regis Jesuit.
Back in his day: Quarterback-defensive back at Cascade from 1987-90, earned all-Capital Conference and all-state honors; played defensive back and was a sprinter on the track team at Willamette from 1991-95.
Last week: The Raiders are gaining steam — they’ve won eight of their past nine games, notably Friday’s 23-13 decision of talented Arvada West, last week’s No. 2 team in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll.
“We were so thrilled with the competition in Jefferson County that we tried to hit the reset button,” Nolan said.
He’s only partially kidding. From 2008-09, the Aurora Raiders were somehow grouped across the metropolitan area with Jeffco teams. In fact, they played Arvada West twice in 2009, once in the regular season and in the state quarterfinals, both resulting in losses. Add in Friday night’s game, and it was three meetings with the Wildcats over 11 games.
The most recent wasn’t exactly a charm after trailing 6-0 after an interception return, but the Regis Jesuit defense excelled, backup quarterback Eystin Salum (in for injured starter Luke Longfield) was efficient, including converting on a key fourth down, and Jordan Jungers ran for two second-half touchdowns. All came a week after the Raiders handled Valor Christian, the 2009 3A champion now in 4A.
“The great schedule makes our coaches and kids step up,” said Nolan, whose team will meet Pomona, another Jeffco team and the 2009 5A state runner-up, this weekend. “We knew we had a good club. The surprise is always how we’ll respond.
“We expect to be good and planned to be good. The kids are very focused and very bright. They’ve done a wonderful job of preparing themselves.”
The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week award, in its 15th year, will have 10 honorees during the regular season. Primero’s Shelby Langford and Nolan are winners in 2010. NFL Charities will present a check for $1,000 to the school’s program. A coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ game against the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 2 at Invesco Field at Mile High and receive $2,000. Coaches are selected from a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; Billy Thompson, the Broncos; and Andy Lindahl, 850 AM.
