"I wanted a stadium named after me": A Coach's Journey to Redefining Success

“I wanted a stadium named after me.”

Well, at least he’s honest, right? By his own admission, it was selfish, but it was what Coach Drew Noles wanted as a young coach.

A football coach at Boaz High School, Etowah High School, and Westbrook Christian School, he amassed 159 victories and 3 region championships. But, today, his name isn’t etched above any press box or atop any scoreboard.

It's been 32 years since his coaching journey began. What was once important to him "doesn't mean a hill of beans" to him anymore.

As he coached multiple sports during his 32-year career, something continued to shift in his heart year after year. The more he was around the game, the more his desire for notoriety and fame began to drift. The more he saw the opportunity he had as a coach, the more achievement and success were redefined in his heart.

A new passion emerged and burned in his heart - the desire to make a difference.

And boy did he make a difference.

Although he’s the winningest coach in Boaz history, it’s an accolade he doesn’t hold near to his heart.

He may have achieved great success as a coach in other school systems, but it’s not what makes him smile today.

What makes him smile is remembering back on the young men he was able to invest in along the way.

Coach Noles recalled times when a player pulled him aside before a practice to talk. Before he knew it, practice was over and they were still sitting there talking. His staff handled the practice; Coach Noles had just listened to this young man who needed to talk.

He recalled the times at practice when, for every practice for over 3 decades, he’d do a “Walk and Talk” with one of his players. He’d walk 100 yards with one of his players and talk… but not about football. It was about their dreams, their ambitions, and their struggles. With each step, trust was being established, relationships were being forged, and love was being given.

He recalled the 3 decades of Senior Nights when, the night before the game, his team would sit at mid-field around the logo and he’d give his Seniors the floor. One by one, they’d stand up and share their hearts with the underclassman and urge them to make the most of the time they’ve been given. As many of us know, it sure does fly by.

Lastly, he shared about “Hero Night” where, as the players were getting dressed for their final home game, Coach would invite the Seniors’ father figure(s) into the room with them to be a part of the special night.

One could walk into the locker room and often see 3 generations of men sitting together - grandfather, father, son - as the senior put his shoulder pads on for what could be the last time. But they didn’t talk about football. No way. Coach Noles built programs that were much more than football. Dads looked their sons in the eyes and talked about how proud they were of them and how much they loved them. Men that had stood in the gap put their arm around the once-fatherless boy and beamed with joy as they expressed how proud they were of their resilience.

As the closing to this monumental moment, they would have a time of prayer together, then the father figures would stand shoulder-to-shoulder and form a tunnel as the seniors headed onto their home field for warmups for the final time. High-Fives, loud cheers, and yes, many tears solidified the moment as one these seniors would never forget.

We could go on and on about different things Coach Noles did to build such special programs. But we will sum it up by saying that for Coach Noles, it’s more than football. It’s more than X’s and O’s... way more.

It’s about relationships.

Relationships are where impact is made.

Relationships are where shifts happen that impacts generations.

Relationships are what Coach Noles lives for.

There’s no doubt he did it well.

Even though he is now retired, he stays in touch with many of his former players.

They know they have a friend, mentor, and coach for life.

Article by Colin Edwards

Executive Producer

That's My Dad Project