by Jeff Fisher
It’s official – Tom Nola has left Clairton for Gateway.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Nola was officially announced as the Gators’ new head coach Wednesday night.
In 12 years as Clairton’s coach, Nola led the team to four straight Class A state titles while amassing a 66-game win streak. He leaves the Bears with an overall mark of 141-22. Counting his five years at Serra, his overall mark is 156-54.
Nola told the Post-Gazette, “The decision was so very difficult, even though some people may not think so. You get attached to the kids and the community, and it was really hard.”
Nola takes over for Don Militzer, who last only one year after taking over for Terry Smith, who led the Gators’ to a record of 101-30 in his eleven years as head coach. Smith left Gateway after the 2012 season to become an assistant coach at Temple. Last month, Smith accepted an assistant coaching position with new Penn St. head coach James Franklin.
Smith was a guest on High School Football America’s radio show on December 15, 2011. You can listen to that interview below.
