Interim Head Football Coach Mark Nofri. Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Athletics.
But, not like this.
After 18 seasons patrolling the Sacred Heart University sidelines, Mark Nofri, the longest tenured coach in program history, has been named the interim head coach for the 2012 campaign, his 19th with the Pioneers.
But, not like this.
“If I ever wanted to be a head coach,” said Nofri, “it would have been here. This place has been good to me and my family and I’m very, very happy here.”
But, not like this.
Nofri is taking the reins from his old boss and good friend, Paul Gorham, who is on a medical leave of absence.
But, not like this.
“Once he told me,” said Nofri, “I was floored. I didn’t realize how sick he was until I started to see him get progressively worst, fast.”
Please, not like this.
Gorham, who started feeling ill in late 2011, was stricken with pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease with no known cause or cure. The only way to save his life, a life which has nurtured and mentored young men as a football coach since 1986, was to be transported to the Cleveland Clinic for a double lung transplant. As he lay in a coma, circulation issues forced doctors to amputate both his legs.
Gorham was an All-Yankee Conference tight end in 1983 at the University of New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1984. He began his coaching career at his alma mater as the wide receivers coach for the 1986-87 season.
Paul Gorham at an August fundraiser. Photo courtesy of The Connecticut Post Online.
Following coaching stints at the University of New Haven, Brown University, and the University of Massachusetts; Gorham took over the top job at Sacred Heart in 2004.
In eight seasons at the helm of the Pioneers, Gorham amassed a 34-51 record. The 34 wins are tops in the program’s history.
His indelible mark on Pioneer football can be seen throughout campus, most notably through the roster, put together and recruited by him.
“The kids are pretty resilient,” said Nofri. “They were shocked and upset at first. When your head guy is that sick, it becomes more than just a football thing – it’s a real life thing. It’s real life issues, not football-related issues. I think they responded really well.”
Adding to that resilience has been the steady presence and guidance of Nofri, whose nearly two decades at the school has made the transition seem painless.
“It’s a little bit of an adjustment,” said Nofri about the increase of administrative duties, “[but] I did a lot of that anyway. I feel very comfortable with the administration here. I have a lot of relationships here on campus that aren’t just in athletics, but outside of the athletic department, as well. That makes it easier.”
In his years at Sacred Heart, Nofri has coached linebackers, defensive backs, and special teams.
“Now,” Nofri admits, “I’ve got to start thinking about the overall personnel of the team. I’m not just coaching linebackers and worrying about defense, I got to worry about and make sure there’s give and take on both sides of the ball.”
The Pioneers will be tested on both sides of the ball all of 2012, as they compete against a brutal schedule that sees them play seven times on the road and only four times in Fairfield. Sacred Heart dropped the opener at Morgan State in four overtimes and won’t play a home game until September 29.
The Sacred Heart University football team returns to the gridiron. Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart University.
But, on September 29, the Sacred Heart community has a chance to battle through this devastating blow and unite.
Unite for the Pioneers.
Unite for coach Nofri.
Unite for coach Gorham.
“I would like to see the students, faculty, and staff come out and support us every home game,” said Nofri. “That’s the best thing for our kids, when they come out on the field for game time and they see the band and they see the cheerleaders and they see the dance team and they see the faculty and staff that actually teach them in class show up for their games. I just think the more people you got behind your kids at home games makes them play better and makes them feel good about what they do.”
Yes, like this.
Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart University Athletics.
All I can say is I don’t get that sense from being around the team. Yes, coach Gorham is beloved, but coach Nofri is a class act and hand-picked to be the interim head coach. If I really thought they hated Nofri, I would be honest, but, since he has taken over, that has never crossed my mind.
Maybe someone should talk to the players at sacred Heart Football Team. They hate playing for Nofri. They are not playing well because they hate him. what a shame since Gorham work so hard getting that football program running and than to get sick and have Nofri take over. Come forward all you other talented coaches report how bad it is working for Nofri and how he treats his Players.