Teacher, Coach, Friend

Many great teachers, coaches, and administrators have walked these halls, and Gary Noble is no exception. In his forty-year tenure, he has left so many positive marks on our school. Prep is a better place because he put in so much hard work.

Athletic Director Will Crosby works with Noble on fields and off, and he finds it hard to sum up such an extensive legacy: “Coach Noble has been such an important piece of Prep’s success over the last 40 years. His first year, he was my 9th-grade science teacher and junior-high football coach. Over the last 31, that relationship has evolved from coach to mentor to colleague and along the way into a close friend. He will certainly be missed.”

by Brent Heavener Head Baseball Coach

As baseball coach, Noble spent 18 years making Prep’s team into one of the historic programs in the state. Coach Kinnison worked alongside Noble, then an assistant. Kinnison is now athletic director at Delta State University, and remarks: “I’m very grateful for the time Gary and I spent coaching together and the commitment he made to write a definitive chapter of the Prep baseball story. We worked diligently on player development, facility enhancement, and program growth. We shared the dugout for ten years, and I will always value our friendship and the time we worked together to grow the program.”

But Gary Noble’s impact reaches far beyond the direct coaching of players. As the above quotations testify, he’s had a huge impact on colleagues as well. As the current leader of the baseball program, I can say how nice it is to stroll into his office, ask his opinion, and leave feeling better about all manner of things. Many coaches I know feel the same way. In allowing me room to make my own decisions, he always ended our conversations with, “Make sure we get those boys ready to play.” His wise advice consistently helped me do just that.

Texas A&M Assistant Coach, and former Prep coach, Chuck Box agrees: “Coach Noble means so much to me. He was a tremendous mentor, confidant, and friend when I was at Prep. He understood leadership and coaching as well as anyone I’ve been around in my 30-year coaching career and always gave me great direction. I am sad to see him get out of the education business because he brought so much to everyone he worked with… students, teachers, and families. However, I am excited that he and Lisa can enjoy life in retirement.”

It says volumes about Gary that he has impacted so many people profoundly, even years after their leaving Prep. The lessons he taught his students and players are still with them. He leaves large shoes to fill and a legacy that stays with all of us. For all that he has done, for all that he is, we say thank you, and we wish you, Gary, the best in all the years to come.