USFL: Former 49ers HC Mike Nolan has taken over the Michigan Panthers for 2023 Season
When the USFL kicked off in the spring of 2022 not many people knew what to expect on the reincarnation of the league. One thing that was a big draw was the number of ex-NFL players and coaches that were involved in the league.
That trend has continued for the 2023 season as the Michigan Panthers announced earlier this year that former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan will take over the reins.
The 64 year old Nolan replaces former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher.
Nolan has coached in the NFL as a head coach, defensive coordinator, linebackers’ and wide receivers coach since 1987. The versatile Nolan coached in various capacities with 10 different teams including the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and, most recently, the Dallas Cowboys in 2021.
Nolan got his first NFL head coaching gig in 2005 when he was hired by the 49ers where he stayed through the 2008 season.
Nolan played his collegiate football at the University of Oregon (NCAA Division I) where he was a three-year starter at the safety position. Passing up the opportunity to play professionally, Nolan stepped right into coaching as a Graduate Assistant at Oregon in 1981. He would get his first full coaching job as the linebackers coach at Stanford University (NCAA Division I) in 1982.
Fast forward to 2023 and Nolan is in the position once again to be the main shot caller of his own team. In the past Nolan has coached multiple Hall of Famers including Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Patrick Willis.
Nolan is a defensive specialist so even if the Panthers are unable to get anything going offensively Nolan’s defense has a chance to keep them in close games.
