Tom Nola Lands In Another Gold Mine
by Ayo Fapohunda
Posted February 24, 2014 3:59 pm
Aaron Matthews, Adam White, Aidan Howard, anthony davis, Arrington Johns, Brennon Thrift, Dana Brown, Delvon Randall, Donnie Militzer, Harrison Dreher, Jaleel Bey, John Horner, justin king, Lamont Wade, Malik Burks, Noah Hamlin, ricky rogers, Robert Hainsey, Tom Nola, Tyler Boyd, Wayne Wade, West Virginia
Photo courtesy of pittsburghsportreport.com
Tom Nola is no stranger to gold mines when it comes to football talent. In his 12 years as head coach of the Clairton Bears he may have had arguably the finest collection of football players in the state of Pennsylvania. From Dana Brown to Tyler Boyd and in between, Nola has been fortunate enough to be able to step on the field with a group of kids that simply physically outmatched their opponents.
The former Clairton coach now leaves a young program with multiple BCS recruits to head to another school district known for churning out D1 talent. After the Gateway administration chased away Terry Smith, they gave the keys to first time head coach Donnie Militzer. Apparently an 8-3 record with a playoff win wasn’t enough to keep the powers that be happy in Monroeville and now the Gateway program will be led by a proven champion.
At a quick glance you would think Nola would be crazy to leave Clairton. With rising juniors Aaron Matthews, and Harrison Dreher, along with freshman sensation Lamont Wade and Noah Hamlin nipping at their heels, rumored head coach Wayne Wade has to be licking his chops. However, Nola is no fool, the misconception is that with Gateway losing top players like Michigan State commit Montae Nicholson, West Virginia commit Ricky Rogers, and Temple commits Delvon Randall, Anthony Davis, and Brennon Thrift, they may have no more gas in the tank, but trust us, the Gator tank is nowhere close to empty.
Nola is walking into a program that has continued to reload year in and year out since the Mortty Ivy and Justin King days. Although Gateway may not have the household names in recruiting circles, the program still has some prospects worthy of division one scholarships. Rising seniors Arrington Johns and John Horner are two long athletes that have the frame and athletic ability that could turn heads if they produce this summer and fall. Rising juniors Aidan Howard, Adam White, Jaleel Bey, and Malik Burks all have the potential to continue the long tradition of Gateway standouts at the skill positions. In the freshman class, Robert Hainsey who may have the most upside of all of them is already being courted by major division one programs and being labeled the “next guy.”
Along with Gateway moving down to AAA, Nola may be in position to start a new streak and hoist another one of those WPIAL championship trophies he’s grown so accustom to. Preps.com will continue to follow both the Clairton and Gateway programs and keep you updated on their up and coming prospects.
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Aaron Matthews, Adam White, Aidan Howard, anthony davis, Arrington Johns, Brennon Thrift, Dana Brown, Delvon Randall, Donnie Militzer, Harrison Dreher, Jaleel Bey, John Horner, justin king, Lamont Wade, Malik Burks, Noah Hamlin, ricky rogers, Robert Hainsey, Tom Nola, Tyler Boyd, Wayne Wade, West Virginia