Notre Dame Preparatory High School's head football coach has been fired after the team was placed on probation for alleged rules violations.
A Thursday letter to the Scottsdale parents confirmed Mark Nolan was no longer with the school, and athletic director Monica Barrett had been placed on administrative leave. President James Gmelich has taken responsibility for the incident and will reportedly be donating a week's salary to charity.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association placed the team on probation earlier this season after learning that the team allegedly had players practice in full pads during the summer, which is against AIA rules, in addition to recruiting violations. The probation also means Notre Dame Prep is not eligible for the playoffs.
The letter to parents confirmed that the school is formally appealing the AIA decision.
"We are deeply sorry that our actions have caused our students to suffer, and we desire to take responsibility for those actions," Principal Jerry Zander said. "With this appeal, we hope to demonstrate that we have taken adequate self-corrective action to address the violations...in the hopes that the AIA will reconsider its disciplinary action in the interests of our innocent students."
Hundreds of parents had signed a petition calling for Nolan's dismissal in hopes that the move would lead to a lift of the probation, making the team eligible for the playoffs.
Playoff selections will be announced Saturday, October 29.
