Coaching Staff

We would like to welcome Nick Baisch to the Lexington Catholic Family. For the past five years, Baisch has served as an Assistant Coach at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky. During his time at St. X, the program enjoyed tremendous success, posting a 47-15 record and capturing the 2021 Class 6A State Championship.

In addition to his duties on the field, Baisch has also taken on important leadership roles with St. X’s Athletic and Admissions departments. He served as the Assistant Athletic Director from 2017 to 2019, where he played a key role in helping manage the school’s athletic programs. Most recently Baisch has served as the Assistant Director of Admissions.

Prior to his time at St. X, Baisch worked as an Assistant Coach at Bowling Green High School from 2014 to 2016. He served as Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator during their back-to-back Class 5A State Championship seasons in 2015 and 2016, during which he tutored Kentucky’s 2016 Mr. Football.

Baisch graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. He received his Master’s in Recreation and Sports Administration from Western Kentucky University in 2015. At WKU, Baisch was a four-year letterman as a fullback. He was a starter in the first bowl game for WKU as a FBS member.

Coach Baisch states, "It is a tremendous honor to be chosen to lead the Lexington Catholic football program! When you think of an outstanding school that embraces the Catholic faith, while also competing at a high level of football, Lexington Catholic tops the list. My goal is to help guide young men to be more than just champions in the game of football, but be champions in life. Every day we will strive to become better versions of ourselves. I look forward to joining the Lexington Catholic community and I can’t wait to get started."

RON KELLY- Strength & Conditioning, Defensive Line

Coach Kelly began with the Knights in 2006. Coach Kelly was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto, Canada. He played high school football for Lorne Park Secondary School in Canada and earned a scholarship to Western Kentucky University. As a Hilltopper, he played linebacker/defensive line and helped WKU to a 10-2 season in 1997. WKU advanced to the second round of the playoffs. He was voted a team captain that season, as well as defensive MVP. After his senior season at Western, Kelly was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League in 1998.

After he was released, Coach Kelly began his teaching and coaching careers at Applewood Heights Secondary School in Mississauga. He was head coach his last four years with a record of 40-17. During the summers he was defensive co-Coordinator for the Etobicoke Eagles of the

Ontario Varsity Football League. Coach Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in Geography from Western Kentucky University. He received his Honors Specialist in PE and Health from the University of Western, Ontario in 2002. He currently teaches Physical Education, Health at Lexington Catholic.

Coach Kelly and his wife Anne are proud parents of Reid Gregory Kelly and Andrew James Kelly.

DAVE NURNBERG- Defensive Coordinator

Dave Nurnberg enters his second season on the Lexington Catholic coaching staff and his first as the team’s Defensive Coordinator. Nurnberg is originally from Columbus, Georgia and is a graduate of Auburn University. He has 20 years of experience coaching football and has served as a Head Coach as well as an Offensive Coordinator.

Coach Nurnberg is also the Athletic Director for Lexington Catholic High School. He and his wife Stephanie have one son, Ty.

JAY JOHNSON – Wide Receivers

Jay joined the Knights in 2021 and has previously coached at Tates Creek High school as Freshman Offensive Coordinator, Freshman Head Coach, Varsity Wide Receivers Coach, Passing Game coordinator and Special Teams Coordinator. Jay attended Norfolk State University and Bluffton University. He was a member of the 2012 NFL Rookie Mini Camp with the Cleveland Browns and played 8 years of professional Arena Football. Jay has one son, Tristan.

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J.J. HOUSELY- Kickers and Punters

J.J. Housley joined Lexington Catholic in 2020 coaching the kickers and punters. J.J. was a letterman placekicker for the University of Kentucky from 2004-2008 when the team won three straight bowl games from 2006-2008. He received his PharmD and MBA from UK in 2011 and is currently a hospital administrator for UK HealthCare. He is married to his wife Megan and has two girls, Alexander and Margaret.

DAYNA BASTON – Team Management

Dayna joined the Knights in 2014 where she helps with equipment, filming and administrative

duties. A native of Lexington, she graduated from Lafayette High School and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Kentucky. While attending UK, she was a manger for the University of Kentucky Football Team.