Thomas Doering moves up to head coach
By RICHIE HALL
In a way, Thomas Doering is still working in his first job out of college.
It’s been a great ride so far. Doering had been an assistant coach for the Noblesville boys soccer team for several years, and is now making the move to head coach of the highly successful Millers squad.
Doering was promoted to head coach last December. He joined the staff in the 2018-19 school year, which was also his first year of teaching at Noblesville High School. He is a Spanish teacher at the school.
“I think I got lucky landing in a spot like Noblesville,” said Doering. “I like the school, I like working there and obviously the soccer is icing on the cake for me.”
Doering is originally from Lexington, Ky., and went to Tate’s Creek High School. He came just over the Ohio River into Indiana for college, graduating from Hanover College in 2018 with a Spanish degree and teaching license. He also played soccer at Hanover as well.
Doering came to the Millers program just before it began a remarkable run. Under former coach Ken Dollaske, Noblesville won three consecutive Class 3A state championships in 2021-22-23. The Millers compiled a record of 54-4-9 during that time and had two Mental Attitude Award winners: Brayden Doll in 2021 and Cole Thompson in 2023.
“I feel like I know the program very well,” said Doering.
While serving as an assistant coach, Doering learned quite a bit “being around Ken the whole time,” he said. Doering said he developed as a coach under Dollaske, and was “taking notes all the time,” so he was ready when the head coaching opportunity came up.
Doering noted there are many thing a head coach does “that you never really see as an assistant coach,” he said. “Administrative stuff, working with our athletic department. “I think the biggest jump for me is making sure I’m a clear communicator.” Doering said his goals are knowing how to stay organized and keep abreast of what’s coming up – “making sure everything is as smooth as can be,” he said.
This year’s Noblesville team has some main contributors coming back, beginning with starting goalkeeper Alex Everhart. Two players returning to the Millers squad are Jackson Morris and Mason Glanzman; they were in the program for their freshman and sophomore years, didn’t play their junior seasons but have come back for their senior year.
Other names Doering mentioned were midfielders Timmy Clark, who the coach called a “workhorse” and Quinn Johnston, who got injured late in the season, “but he was a huge contributor beforehand and I’m excited to have him healthy this year,” said Doering.
Also returning are Rylen Jenski, who played junior varsity most of last season, but got called up and made an impact on varsity. Brady Frayer will be a senior; Doering said he has been “a stapled on the team since he was a freshman. Really excited for him as well.”
Noblesville had three weeks of training before the moratorium week, then resumed sessions after moratorium. In addition, the Millers have open sessions, where everyone is welcome and players start to make themselves known.
“A lot of players really stand out and that’s where we start to look before tryouts start out and we have to make the tough decisions,” said Doering.