Just as William F. Bozeman is "Oil City's Principal," Earl Davis Nolan is "Oil City's Coach." With the exception of three years served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Chief Petty Officer during World War II, Coach Nolan coached sports and taught math at the school from 1937 until his retirement in 1969, During his tenure, his football teams won the Class B Northwest Louisiana Championship three times; in 1939, 1946, and 1948. They were also 1954 district champs in the final year of the high school. Several of his players won individual honors, and some went on to play sports in college or professionally.
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| Coach Earl Nolan (1952) |
Early Life And College
Originally from Oak Ridge, LA, he was born to Jesse Jones and Mollie Stokes Nolan on 12-Jan-1907. Coach was a member of the Oak Ridge High School basketball team that had an amazing run - winning state titles in 1924, 1926, and 1927; and losing to eventual champion Urania in the semifinals in 1925. Also of note, they made the finals in 1928, the year after his departure; but lost to Bienville (who they had previously beaten twice) for the state crown. This was when there was a single tournament for all classes.
1924 Champions:
He and several team members were named to the 1926 All-State team, including guard Thomas "Dude" Files (first team) and center Gabe Hamby (second). Older brother Jesse received honorable mention.
The 1926 (pictured below) and 1927 teams were invited to a national tournament held in Chicago that included many state champions from around the country.
In the main tournament, they lost to eventual finalist Fargo, North Dakota; but later won third place in the consolation bracket, beating Canton, Illinois. Earlier on the losers side, they had defeated Omaha, Nebraska. Earl received accolades for his play in a piece published nationally, though he was misidentified as Edward. He also received honorable mention to the All-Tournament team.
Again state champs in 1927, Oak Ridge accepted an invitation to return to the national tournament.
The 1927 trip unfortunately resulted in a quick two-and-out as they lost to to Maury of Norfolk, Virginia 21-15 in the first round, then fell 26-17 to Duval of Jacksonville, Florida in the consolation bracket.
He initially attended Louisiana State University before transferring to Centenary College in Shreveport, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.
Shown at LSU.
1928 LSU Gumbo (Yearbook)
Later at Centenary.
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| Earl Nolan - Centenary Football 1929 |
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Earl Nolan - Centenary Basketball 1932
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Coach played during the heyday of Centenary football, when the Gents played and frequently beat teams that are household names of major college football. During his career (1929-1931), the team had a record of 19-9-2, with wins over Arkansas, Baylor (3), and Iowa; while also tying Texas.
Below he runs for a gain against the Baylor Bears in a game played in Shreveport in 1930. However on this play he broke his collarbone and was out for the remainder of the season. Note at the time, wearing a helmet was optional.
Source: Shreveport Times 26-Oct-1930
His nickname was "Little Boy Blue" and after the Baylor injury, a fan lamented his loss to the team by writing a poem.
Source: Centenary College Library Archive
While at Centenary, he married the former Margaret Burton....
1932 Centenary Yoncopin (yearbook)
1932 Centenary Yoncopin (yearbook)
.....and graduated in 1932 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
1932 Centenary Yoncopin (yearbook)
Success At Oil City High
Shown below are the 1939 Northwest Louisiana Class B Champion Oil City Oilers, as they were then known. Coach Nolan is far left wearing the "C" letter sweater. The team won the Northwest Louisiana Championship 20-19 over Cotton Valley, but lost the following week 12-0 to Clarks in a game played at Brown Stadium in Monroe. Local merchants had chartered a train so students and fans could attend.
In 1946, the now Oil City Tigers were undefeated during the regular season and again became Northwest Louisiana Champs. Unfortunately, during the playoffs they were beaten 46-12 by the eventual state champion Tallulah Trojans.
His 1948 squad returned to the playoffs, again facing nemesis Tallulah. In a game played at neighboring Vivian's larger stadium, they tied the again eventual champion Trojans 26-26, but lost on first downs 23-14.
Source: 1949 Oil City Bengal (yearbook)
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| Coach Nolan lectures his team (1951) |
His final high school team, quarterbacked by son Earl Jr., posted a successful 7-2-1 season in 1954, and won the District 1-B Championship before falling to Dubach 34-6 in the playoffs.
Junior High And Beyond
After Oil City and other area high schools were consolidated into North Caddo beginning in the fall of 1955, Coach Nolan continued to coach sports and teach at the remaining junior high. Among the accomplishments during this era was the 1964 Tiger football team that completed a perfect 6-0 record, while holding opponents scoreless the entire season.
After Oil City and other area high schools were consolidated into North Caddo beginning in the fall of 1955, Coach Nolan continued to coach sports and teach at the remaining junior high. Among the accomplishments during this era was the 1964 Tiger football team that completed a perfect 6-0 record, while holding opponents scoreless the entire season.
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| L-R, Front: Troy Stubblefield, Don Vaughn, Dennis Batts, Toby Tolbert Middle: Terry McKnight, Pat Weaver, Gil Beck, Kenny Fedd, Roger Sanders, Larry Kirby, Rex McKnight Back: Coach Earl Nolan, John King, Billy Allen, Joe Arnold, William Maleby, Arch Henderson, Bobby Paris, Danny Tennis |
In addition to Earl Jr., Coach and Mrs. Nolan had a daughter, Margaret, who was North Caddo's first homecoming queen in 1956; and a younger son, Johnny.
The town of Oil City recognized 25-May-1969 as "Earl Nolan Day" to honor the retiring coach, with a special luncheon and celebration at the school.
Coach Nolan passed away in May-1987.
Notable Players And Honors
Over his tenure, several of his players earned post-season honors, or later played college or professional sports including:
All-State - First Team (football, unless noted): Billy Allen (football (1968), baseball (1969), North Caddo), Pat Lewis (1939), Edgar Beene (1954), Earl Nolan, Jr. (1954), Mike Durham (1966, North Caddo, basketball), Ronald Barber (1971, North Caddo)
All-State - Second Team: Raymond Wyatt (1939)
All-State - Honorable Mention: J. W. Green (1939), Daryl Bickham (1939), Wayne Bagley (1954), J. E. Cagle (1954), Thomas Mandina (1954)
College (football, unless noted): Jerry Arledge (La Tech, and head coach of perennial power West Monroe High), Ronald Barber (LSU), Claude Carrigan (La Tech), Billy Cooper (La Tech), Mike Durham (La Tech, Basketball), Thomas Mandina (Texas A&M-Commerce), George Riley (Kilgore (Jr. College All-American) and Texas A&M-Commerce), B. H. Weaver (La. Tech), John "Teakus" Weaver (Northwestern State, University of Louisiana at Monroe)
Professional (baseball): Claude White (Shreveport Sports)
His coaching and teaching also impacted untold other athletes who also played for him, as well as the regular students who attended his classes.
Also see Memorable Athletes, Coaches, Personalities, and Teams.
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