Michael Nave, a lifelong resident of Limestone County, was an All-State quarterback at Clements High School but played on the line for North Alabama three years before finishing college at Athens State.

Nave then began what turned into a 16-year stint at West Limestone. His time there included a state runner-up finish in 1988. That Wildcat team went 12-3 before falling to Thomasville 44-6 in the title game.

Ironically this would be the only playoff team he ever coached during his tenure at West Limestone. Eleven of his teams finished with winning records but came up short in qualifying for a playoff spot.

Nave would step down as the head football coach of the Wildcats following the 1995 season with a 91-69 record. Coach Nave would accept the head coaching position at Hazel Green High School in the fall of 1996. In four seasons at the helm of the Trojans, his teams finished 17-24.

His overall football record is 108-93 in 20 years as a head coach.