Pretty much goes without saying that the name Bill Nash is not only “a name” around these parts, but a “household name.”
Bill Nash seemed to know what he wanted and where he wanted to go at a very young age. He was hungry, and we’re not talking hungry for stuff such as Boardwalk fries or diner food along the Jersey Shore where it all started for him.
Bill Nash had it simplified. Love for family, infantry, protecting, and leading. He has done all four his entire life and has done it quite well. And now, Bill Nash is a Hall of Famer. But more on that later.
Nash was born in the Garden State in 1962, and by the age of 17 he was ready to serve and protect. He joined the U.S. Army in 1979.
“I did everything from serving in a supply unit, small arms repair work, played with tanks, and even did some time providing basic training to recruits.” Nash recalled.
The seeds of leadership were planted early in Nash’s life.
“That is where I found my calling.” Nash said.
Hall of Fame Boulevard began with a love for law enforcement, which led Nash to Connecticut. Inspired to be a police officer, Nash moved to the Nutmeg State in 1984. Just two years later, Nash was offered a position with the Norwich Police Department.
“Serving as a police officer in the city of Norwich was an honor and without a doubt the very best job I ever had in my life.” Nash recalled.
He loved it so much that he served Norwich and its surrounding towns for 17 years.
Officer Nash had a lot going for him early in life, but probably his biggest catalyst was a natural drive.
“Being a police officer is all I can ever remember wanting to be, and when I finally realized my dream, my mother told me some time later that she knew from the day I was born that I would protect people, so she raised me to be a shield.”
Seventeen years breezed by like a blink of an eye, and in 2003 Nash retired from the Norwich Police Department.
“I have missed the job every day since.” Nash said.
But Nash was not done serving and protecting Norwich following his retirement. He was then elected to the Norwich City Council, and the love affair between Nash and the Rose City continued.
“Serving on the Norwich City Council has given me the opportunity to continue to aid my community again,” Nash said. “This community has truly given my family and me so much during the nearly 36 years we have been here.”
Nash has been married to his wife, Michele, for 34 years, almost as long as he’s served and protected Norwich. He also has two children. Daughter Racquelle is 32, and son Rhyess is 24. Nash always seemed to have the serving/protecting thing down, especially when it came to family.
“He was always a loving and affectionate husband, and I’m very proud to be his wife.” Michele Nash said.
Serving on the Norwich City Council kept the retired police officer busy and on his toes. “I get another opportunity to protect our city by working to preserve our rich heritage as an alderman,” Nash said. “I get to piece together the puzzle that will help move the city forward and try to position Norwich for future successes; it’s kind of the same thing when coaching a football organization.”
Hmmm. Coaching?
Bill Nash was born to lead in different kind of way, which led to the world of football. Much like his love for family, infantry, and law enforcement, Nash had a strong passion for the game of football too.
“Well, obviously, like many other football fans, it started as a child who had dreams of being a professional football player,” Nash said.
Nothing was going to get in the way of another goal for Nash. He wanted this. He was ready to make his mark in the game of football.
“Unfortunately, I was not blessed with the body one would need to make it in that world as a player, but I do feel as though I was gifted with the heart, desire, and mind for the game,” Nash said.
NFA football
A year or two after starting his career at the Norwich Police Department, Nash scored a position coaching freshman football at NFA under Bob Spayne and varsity Head Coach Brian Mignault.
“During those years and with a few different varsity coaches, I managed to learn a lot and became a better coach for it.” Nash recalled.
The path was clearly being paved.
The Women’s Professional Football League (WPFL) was founded in 1999. The New England Storm, based out of Providence, Rhode Island, happened to be looking for a defensive coordinator. Bill Nash was not only hired but quickly took the organization to the top. He helped guide the team to the Super Bowl in Houston, Texas, in only the second year of the league’s existence.
“I coached some amazing women athletes,” he said. “It did not end the way we wanted it to (Super Bowl loss), but it was an amazing journey which led me to additional women’s teams in the next few years.”
A few seasons later, Nash came across an ad looking for coaches in the semi-pro New England Football League.
“Always wanting to improve and share my experiences, I called to see how I could apply and found out the league did not have any teams presently playing in Connecticut,” Nash said.
With little interest in making the commute to coach teams in Massachusetts, Nash decided to pursue an attempt to establish a team in Connecticut. That attempt was eventually successful. And after discussions with NEFL Commissioner Tom Torrisi, the Connecticut Thunder organization was born.
Nash would go on to coach the Thunder for five years, leading them to four division titles and two league championships, and winning Organization of the Year twice.
And if that wasn’t enough, Nash also led the Thunder to not one, but two undefeated seasons.
Following a solid run with the Connecticut Thunder, Nash was pulled back into the New England Football League, after taking a year off, by his brother, Robert Nash, and friend Marc Ayotte. He coached the Worcester Wildcats for a couple seasons before being called upon to coach another upstart program out of Killingly.
Enter the Green Valley Blackhawks, where Nash would spend the next 10 seasons as head coach. Nash’s Blackhawks never missed the playoffs, won several division titles, and yet again more personal coaching accolades were achieved.
“All the success, I’ve never seen my brother take a single moment to congratulate himself,” said Robert Nash. “He’s always given the praise for winning and success to the people around him. His leadership style is selfless.”
Bill Nash was also a player’s coach. His players really enjoyed playing for him. John Morrissette played for Nash twice on two different teams. “I loved playing for him,” Morrissette said. “He’s a great friend of mine; we shared a lot of great times.”
This past year, 2020, was Bill Nash’s final season in the NEFL. Why? Well, the Coast Guard came calling.
“I was given an awesome opportunity to become a part of the coaching staff with the United States Coast Guard Academy.” Nash said.“I just could not pass this up, and though I will miss many players, I felt that coaching at the college level will give me a chance to grow, improve, and maybe even someday it may lead me back to my beginnings.”
The body of work, the accomplishments, the reputation led to a call from the New England Football Hall of Fame late last year. It was the honor of a lifetime.
Bill Nash founded a team, won titles, piled up personal accolades, developed players, changed lives and made lasting relationships.
“I thoroughly enjoy coaching the players about the strategies of the game and getting them ready for game day.” Nash said.
Nash’s family couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishment.
“I think it’s awesome that he was inducted into the New England Football Hall of Fame; he’s always been a top tier coach in the NEFL,” says son Rhyess Nash.
Bill Nash is pretty darn good at being a dad, too.
“My father is the hardest working man I’ve ever known,” Rhyess said. “He has always had a job and always tried his best to provide for our family.”
Bill Nash has not only done a lot for the game of football in New England but seems to care for the players he coaches, and not just as football players.
“I enjoy the look on the faces of the athletes when they come off the field after a successful drive or an awesome defensive stand,” Nash said.
And what does the induction to the Hall of Fame mean to the man himself?
“Well, honestly, it was a surprise to me, but I never really put a lot of thought into it.” the humble Nash said. “I coached a few teams over the years, won some and lost some.”
But it’s not about the Hall of Fame for this man. Bill Nash has seemed to be more focused on touching lives.
“My only hope is that over the years I managed to have had a positive impact on the players I have coached, the coaches I was blessed to have been associated with, and the league my organizations have represented,” said Nash.
“Finally, I hope that I will be remembered as a good coach, a respected competitor, a fair person, and a friend to some,” Nash said.
Keith Rice lives in Norwich.
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January 26, 2021 at 07:44PM
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Bill Nash, alderman and former cop, now a football hall of famer - theday.com
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