It wouldn't be the last time for Noonan and the Panthers to get there. In 2006 and 2007, Noonan led the Panthers to what would be the program's 11th and 12th state championships.
Over his four-year career, Ware said there were plenty of Billy stories that he could share but reminisced the most about a memorable run.
"He made some of the most epic runs I've ever seen, and they were both by accident," Ware said. "One of them, he's running down the sidelines and two guys missed him. He ends up getting close to the end zone. He snapped the ball; his facemask was facing the sideline because we were hurrying up to run the next play. He hadn't even fixed his helmet yet. We ended up scoring and winning that game."
After setting multiple passing records at Benedictine College in Kansas, Noonan decided to get into coaching.
Once Ware heard that, he wanted to get him hired as soon as possible. At the time, Ware was serving as the offensive coordinator at New Caney. Noonan was hired to come in and coach quarterbacks.
After a few years there, Noonan moved on to Tomball where he served as a passing-game coordinator and head softball coach for the Cougars.
Each of these stops were essential, Noonan said in getting him ready to sit in the head chair.
"I've had a great opportunity to learn from guys who do it the right way," Noonan said. "I worked for Brady Pennington over at New Caney, who does an unbelievable job. I worked for coach [Kevin] Flanigan, who has won everywhere he's gone. It was a few short stints when it comes to the grand scheme of a career, but I don't think I could have found two better examples on how to lead a program than those guys."
Noonan admitted he was still learning heading into his first full season as the head coach of the Panthers.
As far as the reviews go, they are all 5-star. There has been nothing but glowing remarks by everyone involved with the new-look St. Pius X football program led by one of their own.
"You hear nothing but praise about him from parents and student-athletes. He's really building those relationships," Feller said. "The one thing that I love when I go out to his practices is there's teaching going on. These kids are learning; they're learning the skills, how to compete, how to be team players and just learning the new culture of the program and where it's going to go."
This article appeared in the St. Pius X VYPE Fall Edition ... Be sure to go to St. Pius X High School right now to purchase the new St. Pius X VYPE Winter Edition.
