Gridiron Greatness
Tracing the Path of a Defensive Lineman and Coach from College to the Pros.
About Brandon Noble ๐ NFL Journey ๐ก๏ธDive in with Flashcard Learning!
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Early Life & High School
High School Acclaim
Brandon Noble attended First Colonial High School, where he excelled as both an offensive and defensive lineman. His senior year performance earned him the prestigious Class AAA State Player of the Year award, highlighting his early promise in the sport.
College Career at Penn State
Overcoming Adversity
Noble committed to Penn State University on a football scholarship. His collegiate journey was marked by significant challenges, including a broken leg that sidelined him for the entire 1993 season. Furthermore, a severe bout of mononucleosis in the spring of 1994 led to a substantial weight loss of 40 pounds, testing his resilience.
Standout Seasons
Despite early setbacks, Noble emerged as a key player. As a sophomore, he contributed 22 tackles and 2 sacks during Penn State's undefeated 1994 season, culminating in a Rose Bowl victory over the University of Oregon. His junior year saw him post 53 tackles and 4 sacks as a full-time starter. In his senior year (1996), he led the team with 8 sacks and recorded a career-high 72 tackles. His outstanding performance earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors, the Hall Foundation Athletic Award as the team's most outstanding senior player, and recognition as the defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl. He graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice in 1998.
Professional Career: NFL
San Francisco 49ers & NFL Europe
Noble entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 1997. After initial waivers and practice squad stints, he was allocated to the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe in 1998. He returned to the 49ers' camp but was released, spending the final weeks of the season on their practice squad before being waived again.
Dallas Cowboys: Rising to Starter
In February 1999, Noble signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He was again assigned to the Barcelona Dragons, where he made a significant impact with 27 tackles and 5 sacks, earning All-NFL Europe honors and helping the team win World Bowl '97. This experience, combined with the Cowboys' salary cap situation, paved his way onto the main roster as a backup defensive tackle. He recorded 36 tackles and 3 sacks in a reserve role. In 2000, he stepped into the starting left defensive tackle position for the final 8 games due to Chad Hennings' injury, finishing the season with 69 tackles and 10 quarterback pressures. His best season came in 2001, starting all 16 games and playing a crucial role in the Cowboys' defensive improvement, contributing 56 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 6 quarterback pressures. He continued his solid performance in 2002, starting alongside Laroi Glover and finishing his Cowboys tenure with 57 tackles and 32 consecutive starts.
Washington Redskins: Injuries & MRSA Battle
Noble signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent in March 2003. However, a season-ending left knee injury in the preseason led to him being placed on injured reserve. He returned in 2004 to play all 16 games, starting seven, and recording 38 tackles and one sack, earning the Ed Block Courage Award for his perseverance. His career was further derailed by a right knee injury in the 2005 preseason, again landing him on injured reserve. During his rehabilitation, Noble contracted a severe MRSA staph infection that nearly resulted in leg amputation. After numerous recovery setbacks, he was released by the Redskins in March 2006 and subsequently retired.
NFL Career Statistics
Performance Breakdown
Noble's NFL career spanned multiple seasons, showcasing his contributions as a defensive tackle. Below is a summary of his key statistics:
| Tackles | 148 |
|---|---|
| Sacks | 8.5 |
| Fumble recoveries | 4 |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
For a detailed breakdown across his career, refer to the comprehensive table below:
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 1999 | DAL | 16 | 0 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | DAL | 16 | 9 | 43 | 36 | 7 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | DAL | 16 | 16 | 37 | 27 | 10 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 | DAL | 16 | 16 | 31 | 23 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | WAS | 16 | 7 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Total | 80 | 48 | 148 | 110 | 38 | 8.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 | |
Coaching Career
Collegiate Coaching
Following his playing career, Noble transitioned into coaching. He began as the linebackers coach at West Chester University in 2006. After a brief hiatus, he returned to West Chester in 2010 as the defensive line coach. In 2011, he moved to the United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks as their defensive line coach. He then joined Joe Moglia's staff at Coastal Carolina University in 2012 as an assistant coach. Later that year, he joined Matt Rhule's staff at Temple University as an assistant coach. Noble departed Temple in December 2013 for personal reasons.
International Coaching
In October 2024, Noble was announced as the defensive coordinator for the newly formed Nordic Storm team in the European League of Football (ELF), marking his return to coaching on an international stage.
Broadcasting Career
Radio & Podcast Appearances
Noble has established a presence in sports media. He is a regular guest on ESPN Radio's AllNight with Jason Smith during the NFL season, often appearing via the OnStar hotline. He is also a frequent guest on DC101's "Elliot in the Morning" in Washington, D.C., providing NFL news and analysis. Additionally, he co-hosts "215 Live," a two-hour podcast airing on Wildfireradio.com as part of the Wildfire Sports network.
Personal Life
Family and Advocacy
Brandon Noble married Mary Kate on Thanksgiving weekend in 2000. They have three children: Conner, Grace, and Jackson. In June 2017, Noble became a spokesperson for the MRSA Survivors Network, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, stemming from his own serious battle with the infection.
Awards & Highlights
Notable Achievements
Noble's career has been marked by several significant accolades and achievements:
- Second-team All-Big Ten (1996)
- Hall Foundation Athletic Award (1996)
- 1997 Fiesta Bowl Defensive Player of the Game
- All-NFL Europe (1999)
- Ed Block Courage Award (2004) - Awarded for persevering through injury.
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References
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