Former Mules Football Head Coach Terry Noland leaves a lasting impact on the lives of his many former players. Noland led the Mules to four Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championships during his 13-year coaching career and won MIAA Coach of the Year in 1986. However, throughout his career, Noland focused on more than just developing his players’ football skills.
“I tried to do everything that I could to enhance, not just the development of the football program, but every person that would come into the program and what that would mean once they were done playing football at Central,” said Noland. Mark Hulet, former Mules Football player and coach, believes Noland had a lasting impact on his life.
“I would not be standing here today without the guy who believed in me through every step and major action after I graduated high school,” said Hulet. Hulet joined Noland’s coaching staff in 1988 after his career as a player.
“When I finally became a coach, I was able to see behind the curtain and see [Noland’s] genuine passion, sometimes heated, sometimes caring,” said Hulet. It was this passion for his team and players that would cause Noland to risk himself for his players.
“I think it’s a unique thing about college athletics, you take risks on people and there are no guarantees. He’s willing to put his livelihood on a bunch of 18 to 21-year-olds,” said Hulet. It was this risk Noland was taking that would lead him to create lasting connections with his players.
“I just remember Terry being interested in people’s lives, and not just their athletic lives, but school and family as well,” said Hulet. Because of Noland’s commitment to his players both on and off the field, some believe he was more than just a coach.
“He became a sort of father figure to us,” said Jason Evans, a former Mules Football player.
It was this relationship with his players and staff that Noland valued the most throughout his career. Noland explains that he was proud of his teams’ wins but even more so of their accomplishments after they graduated and the connections he made with them.
“I loved winning, I loved winning championships,” Noland said. “But the better part is the relationship that was developed between the players, the coaches and myself.”
