Sacred Heart University

Mark Nofri begins his 14^th season in 2025 as head coach of Sacred Heart football after taking over the program in 2011. 
 
Nofri began his coaching career at Hamilton College, where he worked with the wide receivers, before coming to Sacred Heart in 1994 as a part of Gary Reho's coaching staff. At SHU, he coached defensive backs for six years, then inside line backers and coordinated the defense and special teams. Nofri was then named Associate Head Coach in 2002 until 2012 when he took over as Head Coach. 
 
He graduated from Keene State in 1993 and earned his Master's Degree in education from Sacred Heart.
 
Nofri and his wife, Julie, live in Naugatuck with their sons Mark and Mathew.
 
AT THE HELM (2011-present)

• 14 seasons as the SHU sideline boss
• Five-time NEC Coach of the Year (2013, 2014, 2018, 2020-21, 2021)
• Five-time NEC Champions (2013, 2014, 2018, 2020-21, 2021)
• 2024 Yankee Conference Cup Champion
• Has an overall record of 74-68 (as of 3/24/25)
• Coached 22 All-Americans, 14 Preseason All-Americans, and 21 All-New England players 
• Coached 24 COSIDA All-District players
• Produced 112 All-NEC selections
• Finished 2021 ranked 22^nd in the FCS National Poll
• Finished 2014 ranked 23^rd in the FCS National Poll and 24^th in the Sports Network Poll
• Second Consecutive berth in FCS Playoffs (2014)
• Defeated national ranked Delaware (10/4/14) and Bryant (11/15/14) for the program’s first-ever wins over nationally ranked opponents
• First-ever national rankings (2014)
• First FCS Championship appearance (2013) 

PRIOR TO TAKING OVER THE REINS (1994-2011)

• Served as an assistant coach – defensive back and linebackers coach
• Helped guide the Pioneers to an undefeated season in 2001 (11-0) 
• Claimed the 2001 Northeast Conference Champion title
• Produced several All-conference and All-American linebackers - Jayson Jarrett '01, Kayode Mayowa '02, Craig Capurso '02, Jon Corto '06, Chris Mandas '11 and Justin Sexton 

SHU PLAYERS IN THE NFL 

• JD DiRenzo – signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023 with the Carolina Panthers. 
• Josh Sokol – signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings. 
• Julius Chestnut – signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans. Chestnut has been with the Titans for four seasons as of 2025, when he re-sgined. 
• Gordan Hill – signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015 with the San Diego Chargers. Played one year with Chargers
• Jon Corto – signed in 2007 with the Buffalo Bills. Played three seasons with the Bills
• DeVeren Johnson – drafted in 2002 by the Dallas Cowboys. Spent a season on the team’s practice squad