Charlotte-area high school making a football coaching change days after season ended
Mike Natoli will not return as Independence High football coach this fall.
Athletic director Elijah Ashley confirmed that the school had advertised the position, seeking someone who has “demonstrated ability to instruct and supervise student-athletes, modeling positive character and responsible behavior, strong management, organizational and motivational skills.”
Natoli, who does have a new job currently, said the coaching change was a mutual decision betwen him and the school’s administration. He had been driving an hour to and from school from Troutman, NC, and said he and his wife had just closed on a new home that would extend his drive another 30 minutes.
“It’s just physically impossible,” Natoli said, “and all my four kids struggled during COVID with virtual learning and I haven’t been able to be the dad and husband I wanted to be. I was just tired and worn down, and I kind of knew it was my last year. I met with administration and they want to see the program go to the next level.”
The Patriots finished this season 2-5, losing their final two games to Myers Park (by a score of 32-22) and Rocky River (24-22).
Natoli was hired in March 2017, coming to Mint Hill after five years as head coach at Richlands High, a 3A school in eastern, N.C., and at West Iredell in Statesville. Before coming to Mecklenburg County, Natoli had a career record of 17-39 with one winning season. He also had been the offensive coordinator at Statesville Christian in the 2016 season when that team averaged 44 points and won a state title. In 2008, Natoli was offensive coordinator at Newton-Conover, which averaged 41 points and won a 2A state title.
At Independence, Natoli’s teams were 14-26. His 2018 and 2019 teams were 6-6 and his first team, in 2017, finished 3-8.
Natoli replaced Hal Brown who had replaced Scott Young on an interim basis in 2016 after Young was fired days before the start of the season. At the time he was hired, Natoli was Independence’s fourth coach since the start of the 2014 season.
“We did a great job getting the program turned around, but I don’t have the time or energy to (keep it moving forward), which means really being around the school full-time and being around the kids,” Natoli said. “I don’t know what future holds for me, but I trust God will take care of me and my family, and with this (move coming so late) in the spring, I want Independence to be successful, and the parents and players and assistant coaches deserve it. And quicker they can get someone new in there, the better for the program.”
This story was originally published April 13, 2021 at 11:48 AM.
