Mike Nolan, the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2005 to 2008, has recently been named the first UFL Coach of the Year. After taking a break from coaching following his departure from the 49ers, Nolan spent the past two years coaching the Michigan Panthers. Under his leadership, the team improved from a 4-7 record in their final season in the USFL to a 7-3 record in 2024.
During the regular season, the Panthers had a five-game winning streak before concluding with a loss to Birmingham. They will now face off against the Stallions for a chance to advance to the UFL Championship game. The winner of this match will go up against the victor of the San Antonio-St. Louis game.
Nolan’s success with the Panthers in UFL has showcased his coaching abilities and brought them to new heights in league play. His time with Michigan has been marked by improvement and growth, as evidenced by their impressive performance on both offense and defense during their rise from fourth place in USFL’s final season to third place in UFL’s inaugural season under Nolan’s tutelage.
