Brendan Nugent, offensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints, talks about the lessons he learned at OLS, in school and in sports, and how they set him on the path to NFL success.
I truly loved attending OLS. Some of my favorite memories include walking to school every morning with all of the kids in the neighborhood (I lived in Gedney Farms, where probably 10 other kids also lived), racing down the side of the school to Fort Taylor after lunch and playing on the old wooden Fort, finding different ways to jump off of it into the sand. Recess on the blacktop when it was too wet to go to Fort Taylor — and treating it like it was grass (ha ha). Having to wear our gym clothes under our uniforms on the two days a week we had gym. Playing on the basketball and baseball teams and winning championships in both. Finally getting a locker when we started 8th grade.
My favorite OLS teacher was Mrs. Joiner (6th grade/math). That would not have been my answer when I was in her class because she was very strict. However, I find myself going back to some of her methods of teaching math when helping my children with their homework. She had a very good way of making something that was difficult seem easy, and I still use a lot of it to this day.
After graduating from OLS in 1997, I attended Stepinac High School right next door. I studied there played football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse for the Crusdaers. I attended Catholic University of America where I also played football while studying Political Science. I returned back home to New York where my coaching career began – back at Stepinac High School for the 2004 season. After that season I received an offer to coach on the college level at the University of Iowa. I was there for two seasons, then took the next step by going to The College of William and Mary, where I coached for the next five seasons.
After that, I took a job in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes. The following year I was offered a job with the Chicago Bears, where I spent the next two seasons. From there I went to the New Orleans Saints for seven seasons, then out to Los Angeles with the Chargers for the next two, then spent a year with the Seattle Seahawks, and now I’m back with the New Orleans Saints. It’s been quite a journey.
Some of my favorite accomplishments from my career are when I run into former players and see how they chased their dreams, started families and are doing well. Those are the most fun for me because I feel like I had a small part in their success.
On a personal note, I have been married to my wife Jenny for 13 years and we have four children who keep me very busy, especially when I’m not in season. Addelynn (12), Declan (11), Maelie (9), and Nolan (7). They are the real super heroes, who have handled all of the moves, new schools, uncertainties at times — like champs. They also keep me very grounded and remind me that football may be very important and it is my job/career — but they are my life.
I still follow OLS on social media — some of the people I went to school with are now involved in the OLS Men’s Club, coaching, etc. Their children attend OLS and that makes me feel old (ha ha). I have lifelong friends that came from there, like Tripper Sutton, Billy Flooks, Michael Povemba and Julie De Los Angeles.
The connections that come from OLS are awesome as well — there have been countless people I have encountered over the years, who may have gone to OLS at a diffrerent time than me, but that connection gets the conversation started. The lessons I learned there and the community that the school fostered are things I value very much, to this day.