Dave Sharpe resigns as Noblesville football coach: 'Hard to sell a philosophy that is unpopular'

Dave Sharpe resigns as Noblesville football coach: ‘Hard to sell a philosophy that is unpopular’

Posted by author November 7, 2024 Football

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Dave Sharpe knows not everyone was on board with the “Power T” running offense he implemented as football coach at Noblesville the past five seasons.

“I know it’s a tough sell,” Sharpe said. “But our kids bought into the formula, even if some in the community did not.”

The idea — control the clock and the ball, play keep away from opposing offenses — nearly worked multiple times this season. But Noblesville closed the season on an eight-game losing streak to finish 2-8 in Sharpe’s fifth season. With a 14-38 record overall leading the Millers, Sharpe decided it was time to resign his position as coach Wednesday.

“I totally understand the criticism from the community,” Sharpe said. “But I could not be more proud of this group of seniors. The senior leadership council had the idea to ‘change the narrative’ of Noblesville football. And I will always remember the senior class of this year. They worked and bought in and did everything they possibly could. We were so close so many times.”

After wins over Mt. Vernon and Homestead to open the season, Noblesville lost six of its Hoosier Crossroads Conference games by a touchdown or less. The only game decided by more was a 38-18 loss to Westfield that was a one-score game in the fourth quarter.

But in five seasons, Noblesville won just three HCC games. The Millers were 2-8 in three of those seasons (2020, ’21 and this season) and 4-7 twice (2022 and ’23).

“I really have no regrets,” Sharpe said. “I loved coaching at Noblesville and was proud to be the Millers’ football coach. We had some great kids but ultimately came up short quite a few times. We continued to improve year after year but just couldn’t get over the hump on 10 random Friday nights against the Brownsburgs, Westfields, Fishers and HSEs. But I’m really proud of everything the kids did.”

Sharpe, who coached at John Glenn for two years, followed by four at LaPorte before he was hired at Noblesville, said he plans to continue to teach at Noblesville. He said he would like to coach football again at some point, but said he needs to spend more time with his four children.

Noblesville, with its new stadium and facilities, would appear to be one of the better jobs opening for this cycle.

“100%,” Sharpe said. “The culture is so much better than it was five years ago. Being a head coach of a 6A HCC school is incredibly time consuming and I need to spend more time with my kids. You have to put time in with the youth league and middle school teams. It’s a lot. I probably failed at getting buy in from the youth league and middle school because it’s hard to sell a philosophy that is unpopular.”

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.