There are so many reasons why we all love living in Fairfield Harbour, but one common reason is the people that become our neighbors and friends. People from all walks of life and from all over the world have moved here over the years. This has created a very diverse and unique group. But we are often quite surprised when we get to know someone.
If you follow local high school sports, you know that Fairfield Harbour resident Torrey Nowell has recently achieved amazing success as the head football coach of New Bern High School. He most notably led his team to capture the North Carolina State 4A Championships in December 2022, the first year since 2014 New Bern played in the State finals. New Bern went into the game undefeated; they played Grimsley, also undefeated. Nowell’s offense generated more than 6,000 rushing yards during the season, and in that final game alone, they completed 394 rushing yards. The final score was 40-28, and New Bern for the win.
Torrey and his wife Stephanie became part of our community in 2016 when he was hired as head coach of Pamlico High School; they became the Eastern Regional Champs and subsequently went to the NC State 1A Division finals in December 2018. It was then that Nowell was hired as head coach for New Bern.
Coach Nowell is known for doing things a little bit differently. He has used creative methods to help his players be their best by providing them with innovative life-learning experiences. Among them are visiting with a local credit union to learn about making financial decisions and saving money, local Marines teaching the players about the Combat Fitness test, inviting a sports reporter from WCTI to present a media class for the players to learn to become comfortable in front of the TV camera, and bringing in a local yoga instructor to teach players about movement and flexibility. So maybe doing things differently made the difference in remaining undefeated. Coach says he encourages his players, teaching them that “there is a process, and to trust the process.” He also tells them, “Why be like everyone else when we can be like ourselves?”
Sounds like great advice for all of us.
Mr. Torrey Nowell, New Bern High School bio:
Hello, my name is Torrey Nowell, and I am from a little old country town called Hobbsville, North Carolina. I graduated from Gates County High School and went on to play football at Elizabeth City State University, where I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education. I recently completed my master's in Athletic Administration from Coker College! I am now a proud bear of New Bern High School.