Coach Mark Nolan

The redshirt is dead — and most programs aren’t ready for what that means. Every scholarship now starts a 5-year clock the moment a kid enrolls or turns 19. No extensions. No medical freezes. That changes recruiting, roster building, and player development in one stroke. Birthday math is now part of every offer conversation. A kid who turns 19 before he steps on campus has already burned time. Coaches who ignore that will regret it. The portal gets leaner but more expensive. Fewer players with extra eligibility means a smaller pool — and the ones in it will cost more. The programs that win this era won’t be the ones with the most NIL money. They’ll be the ones who evaluate 17-year-olds better than everyone else and stop hiding developmental needs behind a redshirt year. The margin for error just got really small. @jrichardgoodman @VinnysCorner1 @SergeantMartee @BeholdPaleH0rse #portal #NCAA @latsondheimer @KasselMedia #recruits #eligibility #hssports #coaches #coach

Year 2 Loading @GregBiggins @ocvarsityguy @Nolan_Football @BrandonHuffman @JacksonMoore247 @SteveFryer

Had a great time at Redlands yesterday!! Here are a few clips from camp @THHS_Football @Nolan_Football

🚨 Parents of High School Football Recruits One of the biggest mistakes I see in recruiting is when parents try to take over the process instead of supporting it College coaches are evaluating much more than film, statistics, and athletic ability. They are evaluating how a prospect communicates, handles adversity, interacts with others, and whether the family will be a positive fit within the program Over the years, I have seen talented players miss opportunities because of poor communication, unrealistic expectations, social media issues, constant parental involvement, or simply a lack of understanding of how recruiting actually works Some of the biggest mistakes parents make: 🔹 Speaking for their son during the recruiting process 🔹 Contacting coaches excessively 🔹 Treating camp invites as scholarship offers 🔹 Inflating height, weight, or testing numbers 🔹 Comparing their son to other recruits 🔹 Focusing too much on rankings and social media attention 🔹 Ignoring academic requirements 🔹 Chasing every camp without a recruiting plan 🔹 Becoming overly focused on NIL or one specific level of football 🔹 Creating unnecessary drama with coaches, programs, or teammates A camp invite is not an offer. Rankings do not determine a player’s future. More camps do not automatically lead to more opportunities. And playing at the highest level possible is not always the same as finding the right fit The best recruiting families: ✅ Allow their son to take ownership of the process ✅ Communicate professionally and respectfully ✅ Focus on academics as much as football ✅ Stay realistic about recruiting opportunities ✅ Trust the evaluation process ✅ Keep the focus on long term development and fit Parents should focus on helping their son become the best student, athlete, and young man possible. Be supportive, be realistic, trust the process, and allow your son to take ownership of his recruitment The families that navigate recruiting the best are usually the ones who stay humble, stay professional, and understand that recruiting is about finding the right fit, not winning a popularity contest 🏈 At the end of the day, the goal is not to win recruiting. It is to help your son find the right school, earn a degree, continue playing football, and create opportunities that will benefit him long after his playing days are over

Had an amazing time at the loft-a-thon this morning!!! 500 lbs squat 275 power clean 315 bench @Sampsonstrength @Nolan_Football @THHS_Football @CanaanYarro @EWUCOACHBROWN @CoachClarkJ @CoachMo_ISU

Congrats to Josh Fitch for his selection as 25-26 THHS Male Student Athlete of the Year! A 2 sport athlete in FB & BB for 4 years! Scholar athlete, great teammate, production in BOTH sports, a great selection. ⁦@THHS_Football⁩ ⁦@THHSMustangs⁩ @trabucobaseball

Nobody wants to say this out loud: Nearly 1 in 3 college athletes quit, because they lose passion for the game. Many quit after the first year, because once they get there they realize the sport has become a job. And while everyone glorifies the NCAA transfer portal, nearly 80 percent of student athletes who entered last year never found another school and “retired.” Social media has sold kids (and their parents) the dream that “D-I or bust” is the only path that matters. It’s not. JUCO. NAIA. D3. Those levels can change lives, too, by opening doors you’d never imagine. If you want to play, there’s a place for you. Sorry to say this, but playing in college is no longer a flex. Finding the RIGHT fit - not the flashiest one for clicks - is. Don’t let the ego block a road. Remember: Not every great sports story starts on ESPN or a post on social media. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

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Way to go ladies! #girldad proud father!!!

Just gonna leave this here

Senior Day at St. Mary’s was great. Barett and her Beach partner got the dub and celebrated all of the seniors. #girldad

Marine Corps CFT today! Awesome day for THHS! Always great to have our great men and women of the US Military investing time in the next generation. ⁦@THHS_Football⁩ ⁦@THHSAthletics⁩

@trabucobaseball Multisport 🏈 ⚾️ athletes getting it done @Nolan_Football @SteveFryer @mikehuntley63

Instagram WCC pair of the week! Way to go Barett! #girldad instagram.com/p/DWPdyFuEhYG/

If you invented a machine that could: - Restore degraded land - Build topsoil - Sequester carbon - Produce fertiliser - Create complete protein - Generate its own fuel - Reproduce itself - Require zero electricity You'd win the Nobel peace prize. Instead, we blame them for climate change. These cows will be tending to their fields as they always have, while city-based career politicians discuss their impact on national climate agenda.

“Experts and recruiting coaches identify the number one mistake as being passive—specifically, waiting for coaches to discover you rather than taking a proactive role in your own recruitment. Many athletes mistakenly assume that having a standout season or making All-Conference will automatically lead to college calls, but coaches are often overwhelmed with thousands of prospects and may never see you if you don't reach out.  Top Recruiting Mistakes to Avoid •Leaving Recruitment to Your Coach: While high school coaches are vital for endorsements, the primary responsibility for contacting schools and building relationships lies with the athlete. •Waiting Until Senior Year: The recruiting calendar has accelerated significantly; many programs have their boards set by the spring of an athlete's junior year. •Lack of Realistic Self-Assessment: Many players target schools far above their actual skill level, ignoring Division II, Division III, or NAIA programs where they could actually earn playing time and a scholarship. •Unverified or Inflated Data: Listing unverified "hand-timed" speeds (e.g., a 4.3-second 40-yard dash) without laser-timed proof from a legitimate camp often causes coaches to immediately lose trust. •Neglecting Academics: A low GPA is an "ultimate filter." Even elite talent will be passed over if they are likely to be academically ineligible by their second semester. •Poor Social Media Habits: Coaches audit social media presence to judge character; inappropriate posts or unprofessional behavior are major red flags that can end recruitment instantly. •Letting Parents Do the Talking: When a parent handles communication, it signals to coaches that the athlete lacks the maturity and leadership needed for college-level pressure.” 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Men who are starving will hunt. Others might be hungry, but want it served to them. 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ @NHSRaidersFB @RecruitNavarre @CoachGBagley

Tony Gwynn shares what it took to become one of the greatest hitters of all time and how to master the mental game. "It took me a while to figure it out, but after about 4 or 5 years, I started to realize that this thing was more mental than it was physical." He didn't figure it out alone. "Those first 5 years, I had great conversations with a lot of great players. Pete Rose, Willie Stargell, Henry Aaron, Mike Schmidt. I had a chance to sit down and talk to 'em - pick their brain, find out how they do what they do." The greats learn from the greats. They never stop learning. They never stop wanting to get better. "After about 4 years, I started to realize that this is more mental than physical. So what I need to do is get an approach that I think will work and then just trust the approach. Trust what you practice on. Trust it." That's the key. Create the plan then work the plan. And when it's not working, you still trust yourself. "During the winter, I can hit in a cage and be mechanically sound. But the first time I hit live in spring training, I'll be lucky if I get a ball out of the cage." "For younger guys, that's a sign of, 'Oh, I'm not getting out of the cage,' so they try to speed things up, do things quicker." Trust your approach and stay under control. Don't let frustration change who you are. The game is mental. The greats know that and they learn how to build a process that works for them. They adapt as needed, but they learn the art of focus. Focusing on how to master and trust the process. (🎥Special Collections )

Congratulations to these Mustang Scholar Ballers. Thanks to @Nolan_Football our HFC who truly supports our student athletes. These three were the only OC student athletes honored. @SteveFryer @ocvarsityguy @latsondheimer

“Top five things to do to get successfully recruited by a college football program: 1. Create a High-Impact Highlight Video your most crucial introduction to a college coach. Coaches receive hundreds of emails and simply don't have time to watch full games. Your video must grab their attention immediately. Do’s and Dont’s: Put your best 5-10 plays first. You have about 30 seconds to make an impression.  Don't save your best plays for the end. Keep it short and concise.  Aim for 2-4 minutes, showcasing a variety of skills. Don't make a 10-minute video of average plays. Clearly identify yourself. Use a spot shadow, arrow, or freeze-frame before the snap. Don't assume the coach will know who you are in a pile of players. Include key information. Start the video with your name, position, high school, graduation year, GPA, and contact info. Don't include fancy music or overly dramatic effects; coaches often watch on mute.  Showcase versatility and athleticism. Display different skills relevant to your position (e.g., a receiver blocking downfield, a lineman running in space). Don't just show one type of play repeatedly. 2. Be Proactive and Strategic in Your Communication The old saying, "If you're good enough, they'll find you," is a myth for the vast majority. You must take ownership of your recruiting process. Email Coaches Directly: Send personalized introductory emails to coaches at schools that interest you. Address the coach by name, explain your specific interest in their program, and include your academic and athletic stats with a link to your highlight video. Build a Target List: Research and create a list of "reach," "realistic," and "safety" schools that are a good fit for you athletically and academically. There are nearly 900 college football programs, so explore all division levels. Utilize Your High School Coach: Your coach can be a valuable advocate. Keep them updated on your interest list and ask them to reach out to college coaches on your behalf. A high school coach's endorsement provides credibility. Don't Let Your Parents or Random 2nd hand middlemen community coaches Take Over: Coaches want to recruit mature, responsible individuals. You, the athlete, must be the one writing emails and speaking with coaches. Parents etc. should be a support system, not the primary or actual communicator.  3. Excel Academically and Stay Eligible. Strong grades and test scores are non-negotiable and can be a deciding factor between two equally talented players. Poor academics will severely limit your options. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center: If you plan to play at the Division I or II level, you must register and be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse.  This is a mandatory first step. Meet Core Course Requirements: Work with your high school counselor to ensure you are taking the 16 required core courses to be eligible. Prioritize Your GPA: The higher your GPA and test scores, the more doors will open for both athletic and academic aid, especially at the DIII level where athletic scholarships are not offered.  4. Strategically Attend Camps and Combines Camps and combines are essential for getting evaluated in person by college coaches, but you must be strategic. Attend Camps at Your Target Schools: Prioritize camps hosted by colleges you are genuinely interested in. This allows their staff to evaluate your athletic ability, character, and work ethic firsthand. Many will not offer a scholarship to a player they haven't seen perform in person.  Communicate Before and After: Email the coaches on staff before you attend their camp to let them know you'll be there. After the camp, send a follow-up email to thank them and ask for feedback. Use Combines for Verified Stats: While coaches prefer to see you play football, combines provide verified measurements (like a 40-yard dash time, height, and weight) that add legitimacy to your profile.  5. Maintain a Professional Social Media Presence. Coaches check social media.”