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| Hilbert athletics photo |
Hilbert athletic director Tim Seil is excited to announce the appointment of John Noel as head football coach. Noel becomes the third head coach in Hilbert College Football history after spending the last three seasons in various roles with the program.
Noel joined Hilbert College in 2023 and has worked with multiple position groups, including defensive line, linebackers and quarterbacks. Noel had recently been promoted to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in February.
"John has been an integral part of our program over the past four years and brings strong relationships, familiarity with our student-athletes, and a clear understanding of our expectations moving forward. I am excited to continue to work with John in this new role," said Seil.
Noel takes over a program that has played four seasons of Division III football and is still looking for its first win, against 35 defeats. Ted Egger had been head coach of the Hawks for the previous three seasons.
Noel's football journey began as a three‑year letter winner at Central Methodist in Fayette, Missouri, where he played as both a tight end and defensive lineman from 1994–97. During his collegiate career, he played under former Buffalo Bills assistant and current Miami Dolphins special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. He completed his bachelor's degree at Central Methodist in 2000.
In addition to his collegiate playing career, Noel served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve (1998–2006) and continued competing at a high level during that time as a member of the River City Rage indoor football team in St. Charles, Missouri (2003–04).
Noel entered the coaching profession in 2004, beginning with two seasons mentoring the defensive line at Cumberland University (2004–05). He then moved into the professional ranks, serving as the offensive and defensive line coach for the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the Arena Football League from 2006–07.
His career includes a wide range of leadership roles in high school athletics throughout Alabama. Noel coached wide receivers, defensive linemen, and coordinated special teams at Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville (2006–09), followed by a multi‑role tenure at Lyman Ward Military Academy as defensive coordinator, assistant offensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and assistant athletic director (2009–10).
From 2010–16, Noel served as athletic director, head football coach, and offensive and defensive coordinator at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri. He later returned to the pro game as defensive coordinator and vice president of player personnel for the River City Raiders in 2016, and most recently held the defensive coordinator position at Erie Community College in 2022.
"I am extremely humbled and grateful for this opportunity," said Noel. "I would like to thank Tim Seil for the opportunity to lead this program and continue to represent Hilbert College. I would also like to thank Ted Egger for all he did for this program, as well as his friendship, mentorship, and leadership," added Noel. "I am excited to get to work!"