New Coaches Announced for Football, Track & Field, Lacrosse

NDA Athletic Director Jeanne Stangel announced the hiring of three head coaches today–football, track and lacrosse.
Michael Rader will be the head varsity football coach, following in the footsteps of John Nowak.

“In line with Notre Dame Academy’s mission, I am a firm believer in developing the whole person,” said Rader. “Not only do I, along with our coaching staff, want to develop successful football players, but mature young men who make a difference in their communities.”

As an assistant head coach since 1998 and offensive line coach since 2006, Rader has helped lead the team to five state championship appearances and one state title and has been responsible for all offensive play calling.

Along with coaching high school football, Rader has been head coach for multiple youth teams in football, basketball, and soccer, including NDA Future Tritons, Notre Dame of De Pere and St. Matthew School.

Rader was a three time letterman on the offensive line at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and first team all-state as a student-athlete at Notre Dame Academy.

He is employed at Kadant Grantek. He is married to Amy (alumna), and they have five children.  Three attend Notre Dame Academy and two attend Notre Dame of De Pere.

                                          Track & Field – Molly French

Molly French is the new head coach for track and field, another position vacated by the retirement of John Nowak.

French has dedicated her time and efforts the past 13 seasons as an assistant coach at NDA. She has worked closely with student-athletes to set goals both on and off the track with a focus to prepare them for life beyond high school and athletics.

“Athletics have always been an important part of my life and I have gained so much,” she said. “The lessons from participating in sports have translated into my faith, my family and my work.”

The new head coach has had two of her children graduate from NDA with a sophomore son here now.

                                                 Lacrosse – Littlewind Silas
Littlewind Silas has been named as the head varsity lacrosse coach at Notre Dame Academy. Silas is a 2013 graduate of NDA and is looking forward to kicking off the spring season.
He will head up the boys lacrosse club program and will also lead a pilot practice and scrimmage program to determine level of interest for girls lacrosse at NDA.

“My deep desire for lacrosse and coaching has brought me a lot of success in life,” said Silas. “Lacrosse is a very big part of the Oneida culture. I emphasize respect and humility.”