Nolan Catholic used to be “the standard” in Fort Worth. The Vikings are looking to rebuild

Nolan Catholic football used to be “the standard” in private high school football in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The eight state championships and a three-year championship run from 2011 to 2013, speak for themselves. Nolan Catholic was a prime destination to play private school football.

Since the Vikings’ TAPPS D1 state championship appearance in 2020, the school hasn’t looked like a longtime dynasty. In 2021, the Vikings had to forfeit three games due to the use of ineligible players.

In 2023, the low point was reached when Nolan Catholic failed to win a single game.

Current head coach Aaron Mattox was hired a few months prior to the 2023 season, and inherited a tough situation. From April to July, the program didn’t have a head coach, and many transferred out.

They had graduated 17 seniors. Only a couple returners had varsity experience.

“The first week of school, we collected some guys from the hallways and tried to build out that senior class,” Mattox said.

Mattox was a longtime head coach at Trinity Valley and also served as a defensive coordinator at Arlington Oak Ridge. In 7 on 7 leagues, he saw firsthand the type of greatness that is expected at Nolan Catholic.

“Nolan Catholic was the place to be,” Mattox said. “To me, they were the standard of athletics in Fort Worth.”

To Mattox, building a historic program back to its former glory is enticing. He said the Nolan Catholic job was one he couldn’t turn down, given the great history.

The first season was tough for everyone involved, but it allowed Mattox to start preparing for the future of Viking football.

The upcoming Nolan Catholic football season will be Mattox’s first with adequate preparation time with a set coaching staff. The foundation is laid, and Mattox has a plan to start building.

The first step was to hire a new strength coach, and Mattox brought in Kenny Cain, who coached with him at Trinity Valley. Cain, also a linebackers coach, played college football with TCU and was named an AP All-Big 12 linebacker in 2012.

Cain also serves as Nolan Catholic’s track coach and is hyper focused on building the Vikings’ talent. Mattox has confidence that Cain can take the proper steps to train and prepare the underclassmen to maximize their potential.

Obviously, greatness can’t be achieved overnight. The Vikings have a long way to go. But the long, unpredictable process is something they acknowledge and embrace.

“We’re taking baby steps with how we’re building,” Mattox said.

Another one of Mattox’s goals is building the Viking brand at local Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth middle schools that, historically, have produced Nolan Catholic High School students. That process starts with forming relationships with coaches and administration.

“That’s how we want to rebuild this,” Mattox said. “The right way. Through our guys.”

With steps taken to build, Mattox wanted to ensure his team had improved facilities. He got approval for two major projects that will mark a new era in Nolan Catholic Athletics.

In June, construction started on a revamped football field and an improved track. The Vikings used to same turf that the Dallas Cowboys use, according to Mattox.

The field is blue and white to portray Viking spirit, and construction is finished. The track, which is also blue, will open in a few days.

“It’s going to really pop,” Mattox said of the improvements. “It will show off our commitment to sports and athletics here.”

Nolan Catholic season expectations

Following an 0-11 season, there is nowhere for Nolan Catholic to go but up. Mattox did not mention any long term goals, electing to focus on short term improvement and player development on the “elevator back to the top.”

“We took our lumps,” Mattox said of last season. “We took our bruises. It’s all about making sure that we’re confident going into this year. And we’ll be a year better at most positions. And our goal is to get 1% better every day. We don’t have a wins or losses goal. We just need to get better.”

Part of Nolan Catholic’s player development is boosted by Mattox’s leadership council, a group of 12 players in all classes dedicated to leadership. The council meets once a week to discuss character development, read books and partake in team building activities.

Mattox said he wants to improve and maintain the Vikings’ culture, which includes appropriate locker room behavior, wearing the proper uniform, punctuality and supporting other Nolan Catholic events.

“We want to give them tools to become better leaders,” Mattox said. “ ... Not only as football players but as school leaders.”

One player in the Nolan Catholic leadership council is senior quarterback Carter Devero. Mattox called him a tough, smart player that knows the playbook “forwards and backwards.”

“He runs hard,” Mattox said. “He is as good of a quarterback that I’ve ever coached. He is legit. He can make all the throws.”

Another team leader is senior offensive lineman Brendan O’Connor, who is 6-foot-6, 350 pounds. Although he plays a major role on the gridiron, he also serves as the team chaplain, which Mattox says is his most important role.

“He helps us with our spiritual guidance and in our prayers,” Mattox said. “ ... He’ll help the young guys develop because we have a lot of young offensive lineman behind him.”

On the defensive side, junior linebacker William Terry stands out to Mattox due to his work ethic and dedication. The defense, has a unit, is comprised of mostly juniors with one senior starter.

“He comes every day and puts in time in the weight room,” Mattox said. “He was one of our leading tacklers last year.”

Over the summer, the players’ attitude and dedication to success have stood out to Mattox.

“After going 0-11, it’s real easy to jump ship,” Mattox said. “Especially in this day in age, it’s real easy to say ‘I’m out.’ We’ve all stuck together.”

Nolan Catholic starts its season against Grace Prep on Aug. 30 in a non-district game. The Vikings will, in TAPPS D1 District 1, will play Liberty Christian, Dallas Parish Episcopal, Trinity Christian and more.

“I’m just really proud of their work ethic this summer,” Mattox said. “It’s not perfect. We are still climbing. But it’s going to be an exciting time. And we should be better than last year, and it’ll be exciting to watch.”