Brad Bolding, who just led the Little Rock Parkview Patriots to its third straight state football championship and has earned multiple Coach of the Year awards, will return north of the Arkansas River to serve as Head Football Coach and Supervisor of Student-Athlete Development and Growth. Coach Bolding has more than 25 years of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels, focusing not only athletic performance but also character development, academic achievement, and community involvement.
As the head coach at Little Rock Parkview, Coach Bolding has led the Patriots to three consecutive Class 5A state championships – 2022, 2023, and 2024. Coach Bolding’s players have earned offers from top-tier college programs nationwide. This year alone, four players signed letters of intent with Power 4 schools. Prior to Coach Bolding’s appointment in 2017, the Little Rock Parkview Patriots had not experienced a winning season since 2009, with its most recent state championship dating back to 1978.
At North Little Rock High School, Coach Bolding celebrated multiple winning seasons, and his teams made deep runs in the playoffs. With Coach Bolding at the helm, the Charging Wildcat Football Team developed into an athletic powerhouse and churned out athletes that earned a litany of offers from prestigious athletic programs across the country. Many of his players have become household names, some of which include Rodney Bryson, Alex Day, Juan Day, Alex Gosser, K.J. Hill, Tim Johnson, Curtis Parker, Tyler Phillips, Anthony Rogers, Martrell Spaight, Altee Tenpenny, Deon Tidwell, Anthony Rogers, Gary Vines, Cameron Williams, and Javion “Bubba” Williams. While leading the Charging Wildcats, Coach Bolding received Coach of the Year and All Star Coach honors three times.
Prior to his eight year stint at NLRHS, Coach Bolding earned his first head coaching job leading the Mayflower Eagles. He served as Defensive Coordinator at Rogers High and Greenwood High schools. It was at Greenwood in 2000 where he earned his first championship as a coach.
Coach Bolding’s first coaching assignment was at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he coached receivers.
“This is a home run for our students, our district, and frankly, this community. We have really been impressed with Coach Bolding’s coaching abilities and the tremendous amount of success he has achieved,” said Wes Bilon, the Director of Student-Athlete Development and Academic Engagement. “This is a special homecoming, and we are so excited about the energy that Coach Bolding will bring to North Little Rock. We’re just getting started!”
In addition to head coaching duties, Coach Bolding will serve as the Supervisor of Student-Athlete Development Growth. In this newly-reorganized role, Coach Bolding will work with the Director and Coordinator of the Student-Athlete Development and Academic Engagement and coaches to ensure that student-athletes are well positioned academically and for life beyond high school graduation.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our student-athletes,” said Dr. Gregory J. Pilewski, Superintendent of the North Little Rock School District. “Coach Bolding brings an unmatched energy and a competitive spirit. That’s one of the qualities I admire most about him. He teaches far beyond football. He’s instilling leadership, values, and character. He emphasizes the importance of being a positive role model, giving back to the community, and striving for excellence both on and off the field. Having him return is a tremendous boost for our school district and community, and, most importantly, it will be incredibly exciting for our student-athletes.”
Coach Bolding received a Master of Education Degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Education from the University of Central Arkansas.
Coach Bolding and his wife, Jana, have three children: Anna, a 2022 graduate of North Little Rock High School; Kate, a 2024 graduate of North Little Rock High School; and Brady, a seventh grader at North Little Rock Middle School - Seventh & Eighth Grade Campus.
Welcome home, Coach Bolding!