Taking a Closer Look at Mike Nolan

[RobertHorry]

Well its all been said that Mike Nolan will be the next Defensive Coordinator of the Dolphins. Lets take a closer look at him.

Nolan, a veteran of 22 NFL seasons, spent the majority of the last four seasons as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. He guided the Broncos' special teams and linebackers from 1987-92, contributing to a pair of trips to the Super Bowl (XXII and XXIV) as well as an appearance in the AFC Championship Game in 1991.

Nolan has helped seven playoff appearances as a coach, including four postseason appearances as defensive coordinator. He has instructed two Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year winners (linebacker Ray Lewis in 2003 and safety Ed Reed in 2004) and three AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners (linebacker Patrick Willis, linebacker Terrell Suggs and linebacker Mike Croel).


Nolan was the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants from 1993-96 before assuming that role with the Washington Redskins from 1997-99 and the New York Jets in 2000. He coached the Baltimore Ravens' wide receivers in 2001 before serving as the Ravens' defensive coordinator from 2002-04. Before coaching in the NFL, Nolan spent six seasons in the collegiate ranks, beginning as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Oregon. He moved to Stanford to become the Cardinal's linebackers/defensive backs coach from 1982-83. He maintained the same role with Rice from 1984-85.

In Nolan's second season as San Francisco's head coach in 2006, the team placed third in the NFC (6th in NFL) in rushing offense (2,172 yards / 135.8 ypg). Three players from that season's squad went to the Pro Bowl: running back Frank Gore (starter), guard Larry Allen (starter) and cornerback Walt Harris. In 2007, the team was led by Willis, who had an NFL-high 174 tackles and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.

In his first coaching position in the NFL, Nolan helped the Broncos reach Super Bowl XXII as their special teams/linebackers coach. The team's defense placed ninth in yards allowed (4,813) while allowing the seventh-fewest points in the league (288) in 1987. Under his tutelage, linebacker Karl Mecklenburg, earned a trip to the Pro Bowl as well as a spot on the AP All-Pro second team for his performance that season.

In 1988, Nolan maintained his role presiding over the Broncos' special teams and linebackers, helping punter Mike Horan earn a trip to the Pro Bowl and a spot on the AP All-NFL team. Horan placed third in the league averaging 44.0 yards per punt and posted a league-best 37.5 net average. The following season, the team reached Super Bowl XXIV, led by its top-ranked scoring defense (226 points allowed / 14.1 ppg). The team placed third in the league in both total yards allowed (4,407) and passing yards allowed (2,827). Nolan helped Mecklenburg and rookie kicker David Treadwell earn spots in the Pro Bowl while Mecklenburg and safety Dennis Smith (2nd team) appeared on AP All-NFL team.

In 1991, the team reached the AFC Championship Game. The Broncos defense placed third in the league, allowing 235 points (14.7 ppg) while ranking fifth in yards allowed (4,549 / 284.3 avg.) and third in passing yards allowed (2,755 / 172.2 avg.). Two of Nolan's pupils earned postseason accolades as linebacker Mike Croel garnered AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while Mecklenburg made his fifth trip to the Pro Bowl.

In the first of Nolan's four seasons as the New York Giants defensive coordinator, Nolan guided a defense that allowed a league-low 205 points (12.8 ppg) en route to advancing to a NFC Divisional Playoff Game.

After his four seasons with the Giants, Nolan became the Washington Redskins' defensive coordinator (1997-99). In his first season, the Redskins defense ranked third in the NFL in passing yards allowed (2,818 / 176.1 avg.) en route to an NFC East title and a victory over Detroit in a Wild Card Playoff Game.

In his one-season stint with the New York Jets, the team's defense improved from 21st in 1999 to 10th in the league in total yards allowed in 2000.

In 2001, Nolan became the Baltimore Ravens' wide receivers coach before being tapped to be the team's defensive coordinator the following season.

In Nolan's first season as Ravens defensive coordinator, the defense featured eight rookies and, despite losing linebacker Ray Lewis to a shoulder injury in October, led the league with a then-team-record 25 interceptions and ranked second in the league allowing 3.7 yards per rush. In 2003, Nolan was named Football Digest's NFL Assistant Coach of the Year and earned a spot on USA Today's All-Joe Team after the defense was among the league's best finishing third in yards allowed (4,341 / 271.3 avg.) and fourth in rushing yards allowed (1,536 / 96.0 avg.). The Ravens led the league with 47 sacks and 17 fumble recoveries while tying for the AFC lead with 41 total takeaways. Lewis earned AP Defensive Player of the Year honors and was the leading vote-getter on the AP All-Pro team (49 of 50 votes) while safety Ed Reed was one of eight Ravens to earn trip to the Pro Bowl and linebacker Terrell Suggs was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year for setting the team's rookie-record with 12 sacks.

In 2004, his last season as Baltimore's defensive coordinator, the team featured four defensive Pro Bowlers, including the AP Defensive Player of the Year, safety Ed Reed, to earn Nolan Football Digest's Assistant Coach of the Year recognition for the second consecutive season. The team ranked sixth in the league in total yards allowed (300.2 per game), 10th passing yards allowed (195.1 per game), tied for eighth in the league in rushing yards allowed (105.1 per game) while ranking sixth in points allowed (16.6 ppg).


NY Giants:1993-1996

1993: 1st in points, 5th in yards.

1994: 8th in points, 11th in yards

1995: 16th in points, 17th in yards

1996: 10th in points, 14th in yards

Washington Redskins:1997-1999

1997: 8th in points, 16th in yards

1998: 28th in points, 24th in yards

1999: 24th in points, 30th in yards.

New york Jets:2000

2000: 13th in points, 10th in yards.

Baltimore Ravens: 2001-2004

2001: 4th in points, 2nd in yards

2002: 19th in points, 22nd in yards

2003: 6th in points, 3rd in yards

2004: 6th in points, 6th in yards

 

[cuban_refugee]

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/7129546/11075391

Just playing a bit of Devil's Advocate here. Nolan's defense was great the first year he was with the NY Giants, but he had just taken over Parcells team/personnel. And, his Ravens defense was coordinated by Marvin Lewis previously.

I do like him, but it hasn't always been roses.

 

[RobertHorry]

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/7129546/11075391

Just playing a bit of Devil's Advocate here. Nolan's defense was great the first year he was with the NY Giants, but he had just taken over Parcells team/personnel. And, his Ravens defense was coordinated by Marvin Lewis previously.

I do like him, but it hasn't always been roses.

Agreed, but at SF he was taking on a role of Head Coach. Not many people can handle an entire team while raising his team to the elite on both sides of the ball. Nolan wasn't a good head coach, but is a good coordinator/positions coach.

 

[cuban_refugee]

Bottom line...I think it's a good fit.....3-4 in place, young and hard-hitting players that just need the right direction, familiar with Parcells, great weather!

 

[zodiak]

Nolan to me a "solid" DC but I dont see the attacking background with him,my memory is he plays a lot of 4-3, I understand he considers his base a 3-4.

As for his style of pressuring the QB I'd say its more coverage based with the typical 3 man rush and a LB blitz similiar to Pasqualoni.

We'll see how this turns out a better hire than Groh IMO but not by much.

 

[Jeep]

One thing that is also over looked.. Mike Nolan is the son of Dick Nolan, who also coached the 49ers.. So there is coaching in his blood.

Living in the 49er area, I watched a lot of reports on Nolan and the 9ers.. Coach Nolan turned the team around from the pathetic cellar dwellers they were and it was Singletary that was able to get most of the glory..

IMO, Nolan would be a great DC and its nice to see a lot of support from Finheaven to hire him..

 

[ColonelJ]

Nolan to me a "solid" DC but I dont see the attacking background with him,my memory is he plays a lot of 4-3, I understand he considers his base a 3-4.

As for his style of pressuring the QB I'd say its more coverage based with the typical 3 man rush and a LB blitz similiar to Pasqualoni.

We'll see how this turns out a better hire than Groh IMO but not by much.

Yeah, he sure sucks :facepalm:

 

[RobertHorry]

Nolan to me a "solid" DC but I dont see the attacking background with him,my memory is he plays a lot of 4-3, I understand he considers his base a 3-4.

As for his style of pressuring the QB I'd say its more coverage based with the typical 3 man rush and a LB blitz similiar to Pasqualoni.

We'll see how this turns out a better hire than Groh IMO but not by much.

Yeah thats how I remember Nolan. He uses his LBs to blitz and bring pressure, but he uses disguises ALOT. He wont be bringing his Safetys or Corners that often but he knows how to overload gaps with his LBs and Linemen.

Nothing too fancy, but definitely not as bad as the read and react defense.

 

[ChadHenne]

Nolan to me a "solid" DC but I dont see the attacking background with him,my memory is he plays a lot of 4-3, I understand he considers his base a 3-4.

As for his style of pressuring the QB I'd say its more coverage based with the typical 3 man rush and a LB blitz similiar to Pasqualoni.

We'll see how this turns out a better hire than Groh IMO but not by much.

How is this not the face of an attacking DC?

 

[Myles Fynch]

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/7129546/11075391

Just playing a bit of Devil's Advocate here. Nolan's defense was great the first year he was with the NY Giants, but he had just taken over Parcells team/personnel. And, his Ravens defense was coordinated by Marvin Lewis previously.

I do like him, but it hasn't always been roses.

I'm going to give him a pass on his years with the Redskins. I read the local papers, and the team was in chaos.

 

[Markcalius]

My neighbor is a 49er fan, so I watched almost all the 49er games during the Nolan years, and that team was a joke. I don't think he had the organizational/disciplinary skills necessary to be a head coach. I don't think he had any trouble bringing in the right pieces, but I think being the HC was too much for him.

BUT, I think DC is his comfort zone. And not only do I think he will do a good job, but I think he stunk so bad as a head coach that we will be able to hold onto him as DC for a long long time. :)

 

[ChambersWI]

My neighbor is a 49er fan, so I watched almost all the 49er games during the Nolan years, and that team was a joke. I don't think he had the organizational/disciplinary skills necessary to be a head coach. I don't think he had any trouble bringing in the right pieces, but I think being the HC was too much for him.

BUT, I think DC is his comfort zone. And not only do I think he will do a good job, but I think he stunk so bad as a head coach that we will be able to hold onto him as DC for a long long time. :)

He was also the GM, and struggled a bit with both duties. Plus, he had 4 different OCs (Norv Turner did good but then got a HC job), and Alex Smith had bad shoulder injuries (though it looks like he's turned his career around). In Nolan's final year, he knew he was a lame duck and hired Mike Martz and let him pick his own QB (JT O'Sullivan), and do whatever he wanted.

Now he did do some good, putting together a nice young core of talent in SanFran, and also trying to bring class to the game.

Oh and the argument about Nolan taking over Baltimore's defense from Marvin Lewis, Rex Ryan took over his D and they were great, and Mattison took over Rex's D and they were above average. It's a good group of talent.

Plus, what Nolan did with Denver's D was impressive considering they did not have the players for a 3-4.

 

[jvw]

Good Read thanks.....

As long as he keeps the other team from scoring I could careless if its by pressuring the QB or coverage base.....just give our Offense a chance to win the game.

 

[Markcalius]

He was also the GM, and struggled a bit with both duties.

Yeah, that rarely works either. I was at my neighbor's house when the Nolan 49ers used their #1 pick on Kentwan Balmer. That didn't go over well. :) Those 49er teams were a comedy of errors. When Singletary took over, the change in chemistry was instant.

But hey, the NFL is littered with great coordinators who don't have the cajones to be The Man (e.g., Cam). I think Nolan knows where his strengths lie now, and I think he will fit nicely in our pecking order.

Plus, his love of haberdashery will synch well with the new Miami Gameday Experience.

 

[zodiak]

I dont wanna be misunderstood I dont have any issues with Nolan, just that he isnt going to come here and bring a boat load of blitzes.

In fact Saban may have more blitzes than Nolan but he does still put together very strong defenses, many here have become obsessed with heavy blitzing DC's and Nolan isnt one of them.