Frank McManus, as the saying goes, checks all the boxes.
McManus, who was named Mater Dei’s new football coach Thursday, is a Mater Dei guy.
He has seven years on the school’s varsity coaching staff as an ace defensive backfield coach and 16 years in the football program.
That is essential. All schools have their own culture, especially private schools. Mater Dei has its own, and the Mater Dei football program has its own sub-culture that McManus knows more than any outsider ever could.
McManus, 47, has a youthful vigor. The guy bouncing around the most on the football field during pregame warmups always has been McManus. The players love his energy.
McManus is an excellent coach. Every year one of the better Mater Dei football units, sometimes the best unit, is the defensive backfield group coached by McManus.
Important to the Diocese of Orange, which was much involved in the hiring process, is that McManus is Catholic. He knows how to lead a team prayer. He knows how to lead the recitation of the Rosary.
Bruce Rollinson’s approval of McManus’ promotion was not required but it mattered heavily. Rollinson, who was the Monarchs head coach for 34 seasons until stepping down after the 2022 season, very much wanted someone with Mater Dei bloodlines and Monarchs coaching experience, and he got what he wanted with the hiring of McManus.
Rollinson has been a masterful CEO of Mater Dei’s collegiate-like football program. McManus has had a front-row seat to observe Rollinson’s adroit relationships with alumni, boosters and media. And Rollinson will be available for counsel.
A longtime Orange County coach was asked a few months ago if he would apply for the Mater Dei coaching job. He replied he would not and wondered who would want to “try to ride that dragon?”
Someone was going to accept the challenge. It looks like Mater Dei got the right rider.
NOTES
McManus played football as a defensive back at La Quinta in the 1990s. He transferred to La Quinta…
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