Coaching Staff

Alex Stewart - Head Coach

Alex Stewart is heading into his 2nd year as the Head Coach for the East Noble Knights. Coach Stewart ended his first season leading the Knights to a 13-2 record, an NE8 Championship and finishing as the Class 4A State Runner-Up. Coach Stewart was also named Head Coach of the North squad in the annual North/South All Star Game bringing Dylan Krehl and James Miller as two athletes playing for the North.

Prior to East Noble, Stewart was the head coach at Northwestern High School and Western High School respectively. In those nine seasons as a varsity head coach at the two schools he compiled a record of 54-39 overall. Coach Stewart is very active within the Indiana Football Coaches Association. He served as the IFCA Region Director from 2021-2022, and has been a member of the 4A Rating Board and All-State committee since 2020.

Coach Stewart had various assistant coaching roles from 2011-2014. He began his coaching career at the University of Tennessee, serving as a strength and conditioning intern coach for the football team. He then spent time at Northwestern and Richmond High Schools as an assistant varsity football coach. While at Richmond, Coach Stewart also served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach.

He is a 2006 graduate of Carroll High School (Flora) where he was a two-time IFCA 1st Team All-State selection. He earned a football scholarship to Georgetown College (KY), where he was a four year letter winner, serving as a team captain and earning All-Conference honors as a senior. While at Georgetown, he was part of two Mid-South Conference Championship and NAIA National Playoff teams. He earned his bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Georgetown College, and his masters degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Coach Stewart and his wife Rachael have three daughters Savannah, Sophie, and Sadie.

Aside from coaching football, he is an avid fan of the Indianapolis Colts and loves to watch college football. In is down time, he enjoys spending time with his family, going to the lake, and lifting weights.

Contact Info:
[email protected]

Bret Sible- Offensive Coordinator/Associate Head Coach

Bret Sible starts his 10th season with the Knights as the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He is a proud 2013 East Noble Graduate who spent his entire youth in the East Noble Football program from ENYFL to high school. Like several coaches on the staff, Coach Sible has been a tremendous part of the success East Noble Football has seen over the last decade. Coach Sible has been a part of 5 NE8 Championships, 3 Sectional Championships, 2 Regional Championships, 2 Semi-State Championships as well as part of 2 IHSAA State Runner-Up teams that undoubtedly brought pride and excitement to the town of Kendallville in 2019 and 2024.

Outside of football, Sible has also coached middle school track and middle school basketball for the Knights.

Coach Sible is in his 3rd year teaching 6th grade math at East Noble Middle School. A proud lifelong and continuing resident of Avilla (NashVilla), Sible enjoys golfing, throwing horseshoes and is an avid fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Indiana Hoosiers, Miami Dolphins, Indiana Pacers and Chicago Cubs.

Zach Aldrich - Defensive Coordiantor/Linebackers

Zach Aldrich starts his 10th season with the Knights as the team's co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Like several coaches on the staff, Coach Aldrich has been a tremendous part of the success East Noble Football has seen over the last decade. Coach Aldrich has been a part of 4 NE8 Championships, 3 Sectional Championships, 2 Regional Championships, 2 Semi-State Championships as well as part of 2 IHSAA State Runner-Up teams that undoubtedly brought pride and excitement to the town of Kendallville in 2019 and 2024.
Outside of football, Aldrich coached middle school football for 2 years. He was also an assistant wrestling coach for the high school and was apart of 2 sectional championship teams and 1 regional championship team. He also coached at Central Noble with 2 years at the middle school level and 2 years at the youth level.

Outside of football, Coach Aldrich is a local garbageman at Noble County Disposal. He's happily married to Lacey and has 3 wonderful children Lillie, Lane and Laila. The Aldrich family LOVES football and on game days you can expect every member of that household to be decked out in East Noble gear. He enjoys coaching all of his kids in their sports and spending as much time with them as possible. He also enjoys the spring as he is an avid and skilled turkey hunter.

Trevor Yates - Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks

Trevor Yates is in his 1st year coaching at East Noble, serving as the co-defensive coordinator, but he is no stranger to the Knights. Coach Yates was a part of several successful seasons for the Knights under former Head Coach Chris DePew from 2007-2011 and was part of the 2010 NHC Championship Team. . Yates will serve as the team's co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

Prior to East Noble, Yates has had a wealth of coaching experience as the head coach and defensive coordinator for the Grizzlys Catalans, part of the French Football League as well as coaching defensive line, special teams coordinator and JV defensive coordinator at Danville Community High School.

Outside of football, Coach Yates is a DJ and loves to golf. He is happily married to Maddie and together they raise Monroe, Everett, Annie and soon to be born daughter Eloise!

Kristian Jarrett - Offensive Line Coach/Special Teams Coordinator

Kristian Jarrett enters his 13th year with the Knights. Kristian is a graduate of Prairie Heights High School ('05), then played college football at Kentucky Christian University ('09). After coaching at Lexington Christian Academy for 2 years, he and his family came to Kendallville, where his wife Samantha is a Technology Coach at East Noble High School. Coach J works as the Communications Lead for Youth For Christ Northern Indiana. Like several coaches on the staff, Coach Jarrett has been a tremendous part of the success East Noble Football has seen over the last decade. Coach Jarrett has been a part of 5 NE8 Championships, 3 Sectional Championships, 2 Regional Championships, 2 Semi-State Championships as well as part of 2 IHSAA State Runner-Up teams that undoubtedly brought pride and excitement to the town of Kendallville in 2019 and 2024.

Coach Jarrett brings a pride to the offensive line, The OLG, that is rarely seen in many schools. Offensive linemen are the unsung heroes on the field and often don't get the spotlight, but Coach Jarrett has created a culture that is not only full of skill to the craft, but pride to be part of a special group.

Coach Jarrett is a Notre Dame and Chicago Bears fan, and his hobbies include running, playing ultimate frisbee, and spending time with his family.

Dylan Hunley - Wide Receivers Coach

Dylan Hunley enters his 3rd year as part of the East Noble Football staff, but his name was heard many times in the years prior to his coaching. A 2017 graduate of East Noble, Hunley had a historic career for the Knights. Hunley was a 2 time NE8 All Conference Wide Receiver, 2015 Junior All State Wide Receiver, 2016 All State Wide Receiver and holds many school records for the Knights. Most passes caught in a game (16), most TD passes caught in a game (4), most TD passes caught in a season (21), most TD passes caught in a career (32), most receiving yards in a game (362), most receiving yards in a season (1,479) and most career receiving yards (2,261). After graduating, Hunley went on to play for the Saint Francis Cougars where he was on the 2017 NAIA National Championship Team and started for 3 seasons at receiver.

With an incredible resume, Coach Hunley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. He is calm and collective and teaches the receivers to focus on small things to make big plays. Since his first season he has made a direct impact on the receivers core of the team.

Outside of football, Hunley is married to Payton who is the head coach for the East Noble Girls Volleyball Team. They reside in Kendallville and raise 2 crazy dogs.

Trystan McCreery - Defensive Line Coach

Trystan is in his 2nd year as a varsity assistant coach at East Noble, after coaching one season at the middle school level. In his 1st season, Coach McCreery was the JV/Freshman defensive coordinator and assistant defensive line coach.

Coach McCreery brings a focused intensity to the staff that is focused with high expectations that translate into the game. McCreery also coaches shot and discus for both the boys and girls East Noble Track and Field Teams.

Trystan is a 2019 graduate of East Noble High School where he played football as an offensive lineman and threw shotput and discuss for track & field. He graduated from Trine University in 2023 where he played football for two years. Trystan lives in Kendallville and is starting his third year at East Noble High School teaching U.S. History and World History. He enjoys DEKA and Spartan Races.

Cody Wait - Special Teams Coordinator/Kickers & Punters

Cody Wait begins his 5th season with the East Noble Knights Football Team. Prior to joining the staff, Coach Wait coached middle school football for 3 seasons and high school soccer for 3 seasons. Coach Wait focuses primarily on special team areas such as kickers, punters and long snappers. He will be taking on special teams coordinator duties with Coach Jarrett this season. Coach Wait was a part of the amazing 2024 State Finals run and truly enjoyed the amazing backing of the entire Kendallville/East Noble community.

Since 2010, Wait has been a track coach in various roles from middle school through high school. In 2021 he became the Head Coach for the Lady Knights Track & Field Teams where he has led them to multiple titles including back to back NE8 Conference Championships and back to back IHSAA Sectional Titles.

Wait was a 3 year letter winner in both football and track as well as team captain for both teams for the Central Noble Cougars. Wait was named First Team NECC All Conference Linebacker twice playing under the legendary Coach Tipton.

Coach Wait is entering his 9th year of teaching and teaches strength and physical education at East Noble High School. Outside of sports, Wait enjoys working out, video games and spending time with friends.

Jim Abbs - Quarterbacks/Returners Coach

Jim Abbs has been a volunteer football coach for over twenty-five years at East Noble and in 2015, he received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service for his coaching. An East Noble graduate, he lettered in football, basketball and track and was the first person to be inducted into both East Noble's Academic and Athletic Halls of Fame.

Jim went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and as quarterback guided the Falcons to two conference championships and into the national playoffs. After his senior season, he received the NAIA Coaches National Scholar Athlete Award and has also been inducted into the River Falls athletic hall of fame. He then attended the Washburn University School of Law and is now the Chief public defender in Noble County. In 2009, he received the highest honor a public defender can receive in Indiana.

Jim and his wife Jan have been married for over forty years and they have one son Bryce, an engineer, a daughter-in law, Golda and granddaughters, Ailene and Journi. They both are volunteer firefighters, fire medics and master rescue scuba divers. In their spare time, they enjoy their farm, their dogs and horses along with dancing, martial arts and traveling around the world.

Justin Marcellus - Running Backs/Returners

During the 2019 football season, you might have heard the name Justin Marcellus a few times as his work in the backfield helped lead the Knights to a State Final appearance.

Coach Marcellus enters his first year as a coach for the Knights after an extremely successful playing career. He will coach running backs and returners. His experience at various levels of high school football have already proven to show a benefit to the Knights.

Marcellus was a 2019 NE8 All Conference Selection on his way to play in the IHSAA State Finals. He was also a member of the 2020 Sectional Championship team.

Outside of football Coach Marcellus loves to play softball, basketball and golf.

Kyle Butler - Defensive Backs/Outside Linebackers

Kyle Butler is in his 1st season coaching defensive backs and linebackers for the Knights, but he is no stranger to East Noble. Coach Butler was a linebacker for the Knights from 2007-2011 and was part of the 2010 NHC Championship Team.

After graduation high school, Butler went to Franklin College and played football for the Grizzlies. After a season ending injury senior year, legendary coach Mike Leonard gave him an opportunity to coach linebackers that kickstarted a coaching career.

Prior to East Noble, Butler coached linebackers for Franklin College, Freshman Defensive Coordinator for Decatur Central High School, special teams coordinator and linebacker coach at Danville High School and special teams coordinator and linebacker coach at Ben Davis High School.

Outside of football, Coach Butler has been happily married to his wife Oakleigh for 5 years and have 2 wonderful children Callahan and Channing. He works at Butler CPA in Kendallville and enjoys football, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Joe Pasztor - Freshman Offensive Coordinator

Coach Joe Pasztor is entering his third year with the East Noble football program, serving as the Freshman Offensive Coordinator. He was extremely proud to be part of last season’s memorable run to the state championship game as a member of the coaching staff for the Knights.

Before joining East Noble, Coach Pasztor spent four years coaching JV football at Central Noble, where he helped develop young athletes and build a competitive program.

Outside of football, Joe serves as the Facilities Director for East Noble School Corporation. He and his wife, Bethany, have been happily married for eight years and are the proud parents of four children. When he’s not on the field, Joe enjoys all things football, diehard Indianapolis Colts fan, spending time outdoors—especially fishing—and making memories with his family.

Coach Pasztor is proud to be a Knight and is looking forward to another great season with East Noble football.

Kylee Adrianson - Athletic Trainer

Kylee Adrianson is in her 2nd year as Athletic Trainer at East Noble. She is a graduate of the Ball State Master’s of Science Athletic Training program (2024). She also graduated from Ball State with her Bachelor’s Degree in 2022.

She is originally from Gas City, Indiana but has relocated to Fort Wayne to work for Parkview Sports Medicine. She recently got engaged to her boyfriend Drew and is excited to plan a wedding!