Notre Dame Announces Markell Harrison as Head Football Coach and Unveils New Athletic Leadership Team

Notre Dame High School is proud to announce the appointment of Markell Harrison as the new Head Coach of the varsity football program. A former Division I standout with extensive coaching experience at both the collegiate and elite high school levels, Harrison brings a championship pedigree and a mentorship-focused philosophy to the Irish.

Coach Harrison’s football career is rooted in high-level competition and leadership, beginning as a quarterback at West Virginia University under Rich Rodriguez, where he contributed to three championship titles in the Sugar, Fiesta, and Gator Bowls. Most recently, Harrison served as a Physical Education teacher, Defensive Backs Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator at high school powerhouse Don Bosco Prep. His diverse resume also includes collegiate roles as Co-Defensive Coordinator at West Virginia Wesleyan College and Defensive Backs Coach at Pace University.

"Coach Harrison brings a standard of excellence and a vision for the gridiron that aligns perfectly with our school’s mission," said President Ken Jennings. "We are thrilled to welcome him to the Irish family as he leads our program into a new chapter of success in Non-Public B."

"We are truly blessed to have a leader as passionate as Coach Harrison joining the Irish family," said Principal Michele Martinez. "His commitment to faith and hard work will not only elevate our football program but will inspire a culture that aligns with our school’s Mercy Core Values. Harrison’s coaching philosophy is grounded in his Christian faith, emphasizing that honest effort in every endeavor is the key to success. He is dedicated to developing elite athletes and confident young men, both on and off the field.

"I have a strong belief in the Lord, a strong work ethic, and a wife who supports me in everything that will be required to be your head football coach," said Harrison. "I believe that we can win at Notre Dame High School, and I look forward to building a team that is going to play hard, fast, physical, and disciplined football. If we can do that and have a 1-0 mentality, it should have us competing at the top of the Non-Public League. I am ready to get to work!"

To support this transition and optimize student-athlete development, Notre Dame is unveiling a strategic leadership "triad" featuring the following key appointments:

Frank Quartucci, former Assistant Athletic Director, will assume the role of Athletic Director (Effective July 1, 2026). A Mercer County native, Quartucci brings over a decade of expertise in athletic performance and administration. He previously served as the Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning for Olympic Sports at Rutgers University, working with over 15 varsity programs and professional athletes across the NFL, MLS, PLL, and MLL. A certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a master’s in athletic administration, Quartucci has a proven track record of designing elite training facilities, teams, and programs.

Nate Webber, former Athletic Director, will become the Athletic Liaison for Enrollment. In this newly created role, Webber will focus on identifying and recruiting the region’s top prospective talent. Having served as Principal and Athletic Director at local schools such as Steinert and Nottingham, Webber will utilize his strong community relationships to ensure the "Notre Dame Experience" reaches every part of the region. He will work alongside the VP of Enrollment and the coaching staff to attract high-caliber student-athletes to the Notre Dame community.

"I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Nate Webber for his tremendous work and leadership as our Athletic Director," the President added. "His transition to this new role ensures that our enrollment efforts will be more robust than ever, bridging the gap between the playing field and the classroom."

Incoming Athletic Director Frank Quartucci echoed the excitement regarding the program's new direction: “Notre Dame Athletics is very excited about the hiring of Markell Harrison. From his expertise in defensive strategy to his role in the evolution of the spread offense at West Virginia, he understands what it takes to build a highly competitive program. We are confident his leadership will help return Notre Dame Football to the level of success our community expects. Go Irish.”

These transformative changes signal a significant step forward for Notre Dame High School. By restructuring leadership and enhancing the student-athlete experience, the school remains committed to a culture of excellence, sportsmanship, and teamwork that will benefit the Irish legacy for years to come.