Manning grabbing Ridgeview reins
| Thursday, Apr 16 2009 11:17 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Apr 16 2009 11:17 PM
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Dennis Manning is taking his turnaround act across town.
After three successful years as Foothill's football coach, Manning accepted the same job at Ridgeview on Thursday, trying to give life to another stagnant program and opening the door for another coaching carousel in Kern County.
Manning wouldn't say specifically why he left Foothill.
"There's personal reasons," Manning said. "I just hope that the decision I'm making is good for my family, for Foothill and for Ridgeview."
What's clear is that the Wolf Pack is getting a successful coach. Manning was 21-17 in three years at Foothill, twice leading the Trojans to the Division III Central Section championship game and last year to the semifinals.
In the five years before he arrived in 2006, Foothill was 9-41 and didn't reach the playoffs once.
"We're sorry to see him go, and it's disappointing that he chose to leave," Foothill athletic director Kevin Platt said. "He impacts the kids a great deal, and they played their hearts out for him and the staff."
Kevin Sneed, Foothill's defensive coordinator and a former West High head coach, will go with Manning to Ridgeview.
Platt said Foothill will begin its coaching search Monday.
Ridgeview's program has also fallen on hard times, going 8-24 in the past three years after a 10-3 season under Mike Crews in 2005.
Manning is being asked to perform another turnaround.
"I guess that's the $100 question," Manning said. "What worked (at Foothill) was that we had great coaches that loved kids, and our kids responded, they bought into it and it worked out well."
Manning was 10-19-1 as West High's coach from 1998-2000.
before his stint at Foothill.
"To me, Foothill was a blessing," Manning said. We were fortunate to go to three Valley semifinal games and two Valley championships. It was a blessing to be a part of all of that."
