Noblesville's Donna Buckley Resigns After 18 Seasons, State Title

Donna Buckley has resigned as head coach of Noblesville girls basketball after 18 seasons, closing a tenure that transformed the Millers from a struggling program into a Class 4A state champion. She confirmed the resignation Sunday, ending a run that produced a 275-148 record, four sectional titles, a state championship in 2021-22, and a semistate runner-up finish in 2023-24.

The arc of Buckley's tenure at Noblesville is remarkable for how early it announced itself. In her very first season, 2008-09, she led the Millers to their first winning record since 2002-03. By 2015, she had delivered the program's first sectional championship in nearly a decade. The Millers reached their peak in the early-to-mid 2020s, culminating in the 2021-22 state title before the 2023-24 squad advanced to the semistate final.

The 2025-26 season offered a difficult coda. Noblesville finished sub-.500 for the first time since 2019-20 and recorded fewer than 10 wins for the first time since 2018-19.

Buckley addressed her departure in a statement that emphasized gratitude over accomplishment. "It was a privilege to coach at Noblesville and an honor to work with hundreds of incredible student-athletes, parents, coaches, custodial staff and community members," she said. "I poured my heart and soul into Noblesville and am very proud of what we were able to achieve. While we were successful on the court, my greatest memories will always be the relationships that were built over the years."

Athletic director Leah Wooldridge praised Buckley's contributions across both roles she held at the school. "I want to thank coach Buckley for her dedication and commitment to Noblesville basketball over the past 18 years," Wooldridge said. "During her tenure, she has developed countless student-athletes and helped lead our program to a state championship, along with many other accomplishments. We are grateful for the lasting impact she has made on our program and look forward to the continued positive influence she will have on students in her role as a health and wellness teacher at NHS."

Buckley will remain at Noblesville High School as a health and wellness teacher. No timeline for a coaching search has been announced.