LAWRENCE — You can almost hear the conversation two decades ago on the sidelines of the Haverhill Crush semi-pro football team.
“Emilio (Colon) and I always joked together and talked about it. Imagine what we could do if we went back to Lawrence High together,” said Michael Isola.
The dream of those two Lawrence High grads is now reality. Just months after bringing Colon on to run the football program, Lancer Athletic Director Brendan Neilon made things official on Friday, naming Isola, the 1997 grad, as the school’s new varsity boys basketball coach.
“I’m beyond excited. It’s my chance to come home,” said Isola. “It’s my home. The position opened a few years ago, and I didn’t apply. I had some kids coming in to play for me at Lowell Catholic, who wanted to play for me. I stayed out of 100 percent loyalty to those kids, so it wasn’t the right time.”
Now, out of necessity with the program moving on from Jesus Moore, the timing was nothing short of perfect for Isola, who played three sports at Lawrence in his day.
“Now, that Lowell Catholic program is self-sustaining with the assistants in place and the players there,” said Isola. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime. The talent this city has, it’s the best in the state. It’s humbling, but it’s the chance of a lifetime.”
Isola, who works in Billerica as a logistics manager and lives in Lowell, has coached football and basketball for 13 years at Lowell Catholic, having been named the head varsity coach in 2015. Before that, he got his start with Rick Nault’s staff at Central Catholic.
“My experience at Lowell Catholic was great. It’s a tight-knit community, and when I got the opportunity to be there I learned about the city and I learned how to coach,” said Isola.
“When the opportunity arose, I just put everything in my heart and soul into that program. We won the only two conference titles in school history and made some deep tourney runs, and it’s all because of those kids.”
Isola’s reputation around the court is nearly impeccable.
Whittier Tech legend Seth Dobson, who created his own AAU hoop program (Phenom Sports Group) got to know Isola and became impressed almost immediately.
Dobson joined Isola’s staff and entrusted his son Maddox’s hoop future to him, enrolling him at Lowell Catholic as a seventh-grader four years ago and later joining the coaching staff.
“’Ice’ gets pure joy out of being a truly good human being. Just the little things, he goes above and beyond. He has a big heart, and he wants the best for everybody,” said Dobson.
“I think Mike is going to do phenomenal at Lawrence High. Mike enjoys giving back, he loves being in the gym, and he loves the kids. When he sees the kids succeeding academically, and sees them succeeding athletically, he gets such a rush.”
Isola inherits a Lawrence program that has hovered around the elite statewide in Division 1 for a long time. Since 2019, under Moore, the Lancers are 78-37, with just one losing season.
“One thing I’m excited about, Lawrence is known for basketball and having athletes. To have an opportunity to try and take it to the next level, and show the state there are good people in this city, we want to prove to everyone that there is good in Lawrence,” said Isola.
“I’m prepared, I’m ready to go. I can’t wait to meet the kids and see how the Lawrence High School community works. To be able to do it in my hometown, I’m ready to go. I can’t sleep, I’m ready.”
Connecting with his student-athletes is priority one for Isola, but he’s looking to take things a step or two further.
“There is so much opportunity to grow in the city and to get more people in the community involved with basketball and Lawrence High sports,” said Isola. “The opportunity to drive the bus for it is something not a lot of people get, especially in your hometown.”
And Isola is ecstatic about the chance to share those driving duties with Colon, the football coach.
“Mike is a hard-nosed grinder who gives his heart and soul into everything he does,” said Colon.
Isola sees the two programs as distinct allies.
“Football and basketball is a perfect combination,” he said. “We’ve talked about it already. We’re 100 percent going to be working together for both sports.”
Just like they had dreamed about 20 years ago.
