FORT WORTH, Texas – Typically a team’s success is dictated by the stars on the field. It takes a coach on the sidelines, however, to make those athletes shine. Nolan Catholic girls’ soccer coach Jay Fitzgerald has been doing that for 22 years.

In terms of greatness, what’s its pursuit? What’s its cost? What’s its attainment? These are all questions Fitzgerald can answer from his time at Nolan Catholic. With him at the helm, the Lady Vikings have been dominant, clinching 17 regional championships and four district titles since 1999. 

At the beginning of this year, Fitzgerald reached a coaching milestone: career win number 400 with Nolan Catholic. 

“I was tense during that game,” said Fitzgerald. “And that’s not who I am. But my players were like hey we got this. I was like it’s not for me. It’s your win!"

The Lady Vikings’ unwavering commitment to excellence is attributed to passionate coaching.

“I love soccer because it’s not scripted,” he said. “It’s something where you have to solve problems on the fly, right?”

Fitzgerald has been solving those problems since his TCU coaching days. As a Horned Frog, he was an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams in 1998. Prior to his time in Fort Worth, he played professionally with the Dallas Burn, Sacramento Scorpions, and Texas Spurs.

Soccer is in his blood – coaching women’s soccer is in his heart.

“Women’s soccer is the best in the world. I really enjoy watching the fluidity and the sophistication of the women’s game to this point,” said Fitzgerald. 

Fitzgerald does not have children of his own. This school is his family and the players are his daughters. 

“It’s unconditional love. These girls do so much that I owe them so much,” he said. 

Which is why Fitzgerald goes above and beyond to provide the best experience for them. Prior to each home game, he announces the player introductions. 

“They deserve this. They deserve the walk out. They deserve the video. They deserve the promotion. They deserve the marketing. They put in a lot of work,” said Fitzgerald. 

“I think it gets us all really focused in. It’s basically a hype video like football has. Jay does a lot for this school,” said junior defender Beatrice Birbeck.

Fitzgerald also has a talent for scouting talent. Four years ago he saw a girl casually shoot a ball in the school gym during a rain-out – he approached her immediately. 

“He said, 'Hey, do you play soccer? And I was like ‘no’ because I hadn’t played in like four years,” said junior forward Victoria Watson. “I didn’t think he was serious, but then I came to a practice and he got me on to a club team. I’ve just been playing ever since."

This is Fitzgerald’s 22nd year as a head coach and there doesn’t seem to be a limit to the amount of years he will continue to coach.

“My mom says you can’t coach your whole life. I’m like, why not?” said Fitzgerald. “When I don’t look forward to it, then I know it’s time to move on. But I’m not even close to that feeling. Even on the days we lose you.”