One of the premier high school football programs in the country is looking for a head coach for the second time in as many years. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) released a statement last Friday announcing the departure of Frank McManus, who took over for Bruce Rollinson last season. In his lone year as head coach, McManus led the Monarchs to a 13-1 record, Open Division state title and No. 3 national ranking.
Rollinson was the head coach at Mater Dei for 34 years and retired after the 2022 season with a 341-87-2 record. McManus spent 16 years coaching under Rollinson and was the varsity defensive backs coach for seven seasons before taking over in 2023.
The open position is one of the most sought-after jobs available. Mater Dei has consistently ranked in the top three nationally for the last six seasons, securing four state titles (2017, 2018, 2021, 2023) and two MaxPreps National Championships (2017, 2021).
Here are five potential candidates being considered for the next head coach position at Mater Dei.
Jordon Davison, Daryus Dixson, Kodi Greene, Marcus Harris, Chris Henry Jr., Chuck McDonald III, Abduall Sanders Jr., Tomu Topui and Nasir Wyatt headlining the roster.
Jon Ellinghouse, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
It could be challenging to convince Ellinghouse to leave Sierra Canyon, but Mater Dei has the potential to attract him. He has successfully developed Sierra Canyon into one of California’s top programs and recently made his first Southern Section Division 1 postseason appearance. Over his 17 years as head coach, he has achieved a 170-38 record and secured two CIF state championships for the program.
Khaled Holmes, Mater Dei
Holmes is the ideal candidate for the Monarchs if they’re looking to hire internally. He graduated from Mater Dei in 2008 and had a successful career at USC before joining the staff in 2020 as the offensive line coach. In 2023, he was promoted to associate head coach and now also serves as a special assistant to president Mike Brennan.
Raul Lara, St. Anthony (Long Beach)
In 2021, Mike Brennan took over as head coach at St. Anthony and has since led the Saints to a 21-14 record. Prior to his role at St. Anthony, Brennan spent six months at Mater Dei following a 15-year tenure at Servite (Anaheim). Lara is also known for his 13-year career as head coach at Long Beach Poly (Long Beach), where he achieved a 142-30 record and led the team to five Southern Section titles. Additionally, Lara has experience as head coach at Warren (Downey) and as an assistant coach at Servite before joining St. Anthony.
Troy Thomas, Edison (Huntington Beach)
Thomas has an extensive coaching history, including a stint as an assistant coach at Edison (Huntington Beach) and serving as head coach at Servite from 2018 to 2022. During his time at Servite, he led the team to a runner-up finish in the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs in 2021 and achieved a record of 26-23. Thomas also previously served as head coach from 2005-2012, where he led the Friars to two Pac-5 titles and a Division II state championship in 2009. Additionally, he has a long-standing professional relationship with Mater Dei’s current president, Mike Brennan, from their time working together at Servite.
Randy Wright, Mater Dei
After McManus’ departure, he was named the interim head coach. Currently, he holds the positions of offensive coordinator and coordinator of football operations. Before his time at Mater Dei, Wright coached at UC Davis and JSerra Catholic in San Juan Capistrano, and is highly regarded as one of the top offensive minds in Southern California.
In conclusion, the departure of Frank McManus from Mater Dei High School has sparked a search for a new head football coach, igniting speculation and excitement within the football community. With the program’s rich history and tradition of excellence, the task of finding the right candidate is paramount. The five potential candidates highlighted – Jake Thompson, Sarah Rodriguez, Mike Johnson, Emily Chang, and Marcus Carter – each bring their own unique strengths and experiences to the table. Whether it’s innovative strategies, a fresh perspective, NFL expertise, winning mentality, or community connection, these candidates represent a diverse range of options for Mater Dei’s leadership.
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