Image courtesy of Coach O’Leary

Former Governors Academy Coach Jim O’Leary is back. On Saturday O’Leary announced that he was named the new head coach at Nobles and Greenough. 

O’Leary replaces Mike Curran who made the decision to move on after last season. O’Leary says he wasn’t planning on coaching but when the job at Nobles opened up, he was intrigued and contacted athletic director Alex Gallagher.

“I really thought I was going to take a year off but when Mike Curran made the decision to move on and I got in touch with Alex Gallagher the AD it seemed like a perfect fit.”

Nobles was a school that O’Leary says he has followed and admired from afar. 

“Nobles has always been a school that I have admired . They have great athletes and so much pride in all of their athletic teams.” 

The Bulldogs have always had athletes. The school is a boarding school during the week but students and athletes go home on the weekends. Despite that, it is a school that has always attracted local talent. 

Nobles went 7-2 last season and beat Kingswood Oxford 48-20 in the John Mackay Bowl. O’Leary is looking forward to picking up where the 2024 team left off. 

“I am looking forward to getting to know everyone involved in the program. The last two weeks has been remarkable in terms of being accepted into the Nobles family and I plan to add to what the 2024 team has started. I have a great group of assistants and the roster has some special players.” 

O’Leary is also looking forward to returning to the ISL and he calls NEPSAC Football the best high school level in New England. 

“The ISL and NEPSAC football is the best level in New England. The caliber of players that have accomplished great things and represented our leagues at the highest level in college is so impressive. We continue to be a great funnel to academic institutions that play football.  I have enjoyed the last 15 years and look forward to bringing all my experience and knowledge to the players at Noble and Greenough.” 

In the end, O’Leary is thankful to be back coaching and he appreciates Nobles giving him this opportunity. 

“I am very lucky to have this opportunity and am extremely thankful to Dr. Hall our head of school and Alex Gallagher.” O’Leary added: ” I wish Coach Curran luck in his future and promise to keep the standards that he has built.”