As a 12-year head coach, Nick Hart once again worked to make the Gibson Southern Titan football team’s season a successful one. Hart assumed the lead of the football program in 2013, coaching the team to Sectional and Regional titles and forever changing how the south Gibson community viewed the sport. He brought a varied background of experiences to Titan squad.
“My dad (John Hart) was a high school football coach, so I grew up watching him and the impacts he was able to make,” Hart said. “Playing the sport myself, I really enjoyed football and what it was as a whole.”
Accruing an 11-3 record for the 2023 season, Hart and his team were able to win a fourth straight PAC championship for the program, along with a second Sectional and second Regional title over the last three years. Hart was quick to share the root of the team’s success.
“I think we have brought in some really good assistant coaches, and I think that in a sport like football, where there are so many players, you have to have an excellent coaching staff,” he said.
Hart has a lot on his plate with being a father of two kids, being a husband, the head coach of the football program, and being Gibson Southern’s athletic director.
“There are certain times of the year it is not hard at all but other times it becomes really tough,” he said. “I have a great wife (Janet Hart), especially in the fall. She basically carries our house. Now that my son is getting old enough to come to a lot of events with me, that helps. All of the free time I have is spent with my family.”
Overall, there are 18 coaches for the football program, which helps with the team’s success. From the offensive line to the kicker and wide receiver coaches, every spot has a coach of its own.
“I was able to win two state titles as an assistant coach, so I have kind of been in the spot to win a state championship my whole coaching life,” Hart said. “It is not possible to do it every single year. It gets tough. You hear people talking about it, and you obsess about getting the state title. But, when you actually win, putting in all that hard work, it’s great, but the chase is done and all you want to do is play another game.”
As of now, Hart plans on returning next year, for his thirteenth football season and will try and win a Sectional, Regional, Semi-State championship, and off to Lucas Oil Stadium to win a state title again.
Gibson Southern’s football team has its first game on September 6, at 7:00 p.m. against Princeton High School to start the 2024 season.
