In the world of sports, few stories have been as heart-wrenching and complex as that of Jimmy and Tar Nolan. Once a united front, the couple faced unimaginable tragedy when a horrific car accident in 2020 claimed the life of their youngest child and left Tar paralyzed. Despite the adversity, they showed remarkable resilience, inspiring many with their courage and determination. However, in 2022, they made the difficult decision to end their 14-year marriage. This article delves into the reasons behind their divorce, exploring the challenges they faced, the impact of their personal tragedy, and the circumstances that led to their decision to part ways.
Here we will uncover the story behind the end of a relationship that once seemed unbreakable.
Personal Profile
Jimmy Nolan
Jimmy Nolan is a former Ute football player and coach. He played for Utes from 1995 to 1999. Since he debuted his professional football coaching career, he has coached several institutions, including Golden West College, Costa Mesa High School, and Fountain Valley High School. At the moment, he is coaching at Los Angeles Harbor College.
Jimmy Nolan has returned as Costa Mesa’s football coach. He had been away from the team since his wife, Taran, and three of their children were involved in a head-on collision in September that killed his youngest daughter and the driver of the other vehicle. He will coach the Mustangs against Katella on Friday.
Nolan also had head coaching jobs at Laguna Beach and Compton Centennial where he was named Press-Telegram Coach of the Year after his first season. After one season at Carson, he stepped down in order to care for Taran.
| Full Name | Jimmy Nolan |
| Profession | Football Coach |
| Career | He has coached several institutions, including Golden West College, Costa Mesa High School, and Fountain Valley High School. Currently, he is coaching at Los Angeles Harbor College. |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Wife | Tar Nolan |
| Children | Paisley, Micki (deceased), Daisy, and Jimmy Jr |
Tar Nolan
Before her marriage to Jimmy, Tar Nolan worked as a waitress. She was also a fitness enthusiast. After getting married, she resorted to taking care of their children. She was a supportive wife and supported Jimmy in his coaching career.
Tar, a successful lawyer, was used to a certain lifestyle and was focused on building a secure financial future. On the other hand, Jimmy, a freelance artist, prioritized his passion for art over financial stability.
| Full Name | Tar Nolan |
| Profession | Before her marriage to Jimmy, Tar worked as a waitress. She was also a fitness enthusiast11. After getting married, she resorted to taking care of their children |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Jimmy Nolan |
| Children | Paisley, Micki (deceased), Daisy, and Jimmy Jr |
Their Relationship
Meeting and Dating
Jimmy and Tar Nolan first crossed paths in 2006. At the time, Tar was working as a waitress in a restaurant in California. Jimmy, who was a former football player for Utes and a coach for various institutions, was instantly smitten by her. They hit it off right away and started dating.
Marriage
After two years of dating, Jimmy and Tar took their relationship to the next level and got married in 2008. Their love blossomed, and they seemed to be happy together. Tar was a supportive wife and supported Jimmy in his coaching career.
Family Life
Jimmy and Tar Nolan were blessed with four children: Paisley, Micki, Daisy, and Jimmy Jr. They seemed to be a happy and supportive family, with Tar taking care of the kids and Jimmy pursuing his coaching career. However, their family life took a tragic turn on September 10, 2001, when Tar Nolan and her children were victims of a horrific accident.
Despite the challenges, they continued to support each other and their children. However, their marriage was not always a bed of roses, and they eventually separated in 2022, one year after the horrific incident that shattered their lives. Their separation only came to the limelight in June 2023.
The Tragic Accident
On the morning of September 10, 2020, Tar Nolan was driving with three of her four children in South Carolina when their vehicle had a head-on collision with another vehicle. The accident occurred on U.S. Route 521 in Georgetown County, South Carolina. Tar was traveling west in an eastbound lane when her vehicle, a 2003 Ford Expedition, struck a 2010 Cadillac Escalade driven by 49-year-old Glendora Holmes. The impact was so severe that it resulted in a fire, trapping the occupants inside.
Aftermath of the Accident
The accident claimed the lives of Micki Nolan, the Nolans’ three-year-old daughter, and Glendora Holmes, the driver of the other vehicle. Tar Nolan and her two other children, Daisy and Jimmy Jr., were critically injured. Tar suffered a broken neck, a broken back, a collapsed lung, and burns over 80% of her body. Daisy had a broken leg, a broken arm, and burns over 40% of her body. Jimmy Jr. had a broken arm, a broken leg, and burns over 30% of his body. They were all taken to different hospitals for treatment.
Coping with the Loss
In the wake of the tragedy, Jimmy and Tar Nolan leaned on each other and their faith. They sought counseling and therapy to deal with their grief and trauma. They also expressed their gratitude for the support they received from their friends, family, and fans on social media. A GoFundMe campaign was started by a friend of Jimmy to help them with their financial needs, raising over $500,000 as of December 2023. Despite the immense loss and the physical and emotional trauma, they showed remarkable resilience and continued to support each other and their surviving children.
The Divorce
Decision to End Their Marriage
Jimmy and Tar Nolan decided to end their marriage in 2022, one year after the horrific accident. Their separation only came to the limelight in June 2023. It is alleged that the marriage fell apart because of irreconcilable differences. The breakdown of communication and trust in their marital relationship was one of the most challenging issues they had to overcome. When communication breaks down, the ability to understand and empathize with each other diminishes, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and ultimately, a loss of trust. This loss of trust can create a rift that is difficult to bridge, as both partners feel unsupported, unheard, and unvalued.
Public Reaction to Their Divorce
The divorce of Jimmy and Tar Nolan generated mixed reactions from the public. Some sympathized with them and respected their decision to end their marriage. They understood the immense pressure and trauma the couple had been through following the accident and respected their decision to part ways. However, some criticized them for giving up on their vows and breaking their family apart. Many netizens were brimming with questions because they seemed to enjoy a happy marriage. When news of their divorce broke on Reddit, the community was quick to react and show their support for the couple during this difficult time.
Controversies After Their Divorce
The divorce also sparked a controversy, as some people accused Jimmy of abandoning Tar and having an affair with another woman. Jimmy denied the allegations and defended his decision, saying that he and Tar had grown apart and that he still loved and cared for her and their children. The Reddit post sparked a lot of controversy and backlash, as many people criticized Jimmy for abandoning his wife and children in their time of need. Some also questioned the authenticity of the post, and wondered why Jimmy and Tar Nolan had kept their divorce a secret for so long.
Life After Divorce
As of December 2023, Jimmy and Tar Nolan are living separate lives in different states. After their divorce in 2022, they have not remarried or dated anyone else. However, some sources claim that they have remained civil and respectful towards each other, and have co-parented their children amicably.
Coping Mechanisms
Following the tragic accident Jimmy and Tar Nolan have been struggling to recover physically, emotionally, and financially. They faced a long and painful recovery process, requiring multiple surgeries, skin grafts, physical therapy, and psychological counseling. They also faced mounting medical bills, legal fees, and living expenses, as they had to relocate to South Carolina for their treatment. A GoFundMe campaign was started by a friend of Jimmy to help them with their financial needs, raising over $500,000 as of December 2023.
New Relationships
Jimmy Nolan is currently in a relationship with Barbara Fritz. He met Barbara after he and Tar had separated. She has been a source of support and happiness for him. On the other hand, Tar Nolan has not been linked to any new partners since their divorce. She has focused on her recovery and taking care of their children.