By GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

MORGAN CITY — Morgan City High School’s Brandon Nowlin announced Sunday that he is resigning his post as head football coach and athletic director, effective today, to take a position at Nicholls State University.

While he will rescind his duties of a coach at Morgan City, Nowlin still will remain at the school as a physical education teacher until the end of this school year but will help at Nicholls for spring football.

He said he informed his football squad of his decision Friday afternoon.

Nowlin said Sunday that at Nicholls, he would be working with tight ends and work as academic coordinator.

“I would like to thank the entire Morgan City High School family as well as the great community of Morgan City for their support over the last three years,” Nowlin said in a statement Sunday. “I am very proud of the progress that we have made in every aspect of our athletic department, but especially with our football program. This year we will graduate the most successful senior class in the last 15 years of the school’s history. They will leave MCHS accounting for half of the school’s football wins since 1998.”

Nowlin also touted progress during his time in improving athletic facilities, equipment, sport budgets and “the overall athletic experience for all of our student-athletes.”

As for the Nicholls job, Nowlin said he talked with his family as well as Nicholls coach Charlie Stubbs before coming to the decision. He said the decision was a tough one.

“After sitting down and talking with him and talking with my family, just kind of considering all my options, I felt it was just time for me to maybe go back and work at the college level again,” he said. “I still have a passion for that. He just made me an offer I really couldn’t pass up.”

Nowlin said he will meet the team Thursday.

Nowlin, who completed his third year as head football coach this past fall, finished his first head-coaching gig with a 11-18 overall mark. He gradually improved the football program during his tenure, from a 2-8 season in his first at the helm to 5-5 in 2011 and 4-5 this past year.

“(I) Obviously took it over in some very difficult circumstances, but I definitely feel good about where the program’s at,” he said. “I obviously feel like I’m leaving it in a better situation than when I found it, and that just doesn’t go for football.”

His football team flirted with a playoff appearance in 2011, while this year, the squad started the season 4-0 before dropping its final five contests.

The Tigers have not advanced to the playoffs since 1998.

“Obviously I wish we could have kind of got over that hurdle,” he said. “It’s a regret that I have.”

Nowlin took over for the Tigers on the day of the 2010 jamboree when then-head coach Brett Bonnaffons was fired.

Nowlin now will return to the collegiate level where he has prior experience.

“We are happy for coach Nowlin and wish him much success as he returns to the collegiate level,” Morgan City Principal Mickey Fabre said in a statement this morning. “On behalf of Morgan City High School, we thank him for his achievements while leading the Fighting Tiger football team.

“With much excitement and anticipation, we now turn our attention to the interview process as we look for a new leader for our football program. We feel as though we have the quality athletes and facilities that will attract some outstanding applicants.”

While the move to Nicholls comes just three months after his name was listed as an applicant for the Central Lafourche head football coaching job, Nowlin said he was not pursuing these positions because he was unhappy at Morgan City.

“Whether it’s next year when I’m at Nicholls or down the road, I’m obviously going to listen to people when they call and present certain opportunities to me,” he said.

He added that the vacancies he had interest in came at a time when coaches were sought out because positions need to be filled for next year.