Nolan Foley joined the Cardinals’ staff as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator in March 2025 following two years at SUNY Cortland, which won the Division III National Championship in 2023.Â
Foley, who also played at Cortland, coached special teams and safeties and served as director of football operations for the Red Dragons. He was primarily responsible for recruiting the New York City and Nassau County areas.
Cortland’s special teams units under Foley ranked amongst the strongest in the nation, as the Red Dragons finished in the top five in DIII in blocked punts (4) and punt return average (13 yards) in 2023. Kickers/punters Patrick Luby and Mike Baloga won the Empire 8 Conference Special Teams Player of the Year award under Foley.Â
Foley coached four all-conference safeties in his two years at Cortland, including 2023 E8 Rookie of the Year Sam Cotton. Cotton earned E8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors and a spot on the D3football.com National Team of the Week after making 10 tackles and intercepting a pass in a win over Brockport that season.Â
The Red Dragons ranked eighth nationally in passing defense in 2024, allowing just 144.7 yards per game. They finished 17th in total defense (253.4 yards allowed per game).
As the Red Dragons’ director of operations, Foley organized and operated a football alumni mentorship program. He also managed the program's budget, coordinated travel and organized youth football camps.Â
Foley began his coaching career in 2021 at NAIA St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where he worked with various position groups, including tight ends, running backs, special teams and defensive backs. St. Ambrose had an all-conference kicker/punter and safety in 2022.Â
Foley also assisted with the St. Ambrose football program's junior varsity team during his time on staff.Â
From Wantagh, New York, Foley was an offensive lineman at Cortland from 2017-19. After suffering an injury during his senior season, he assisted the coaching staff with film analysis and breakdown.
