Surprise Departure: Mater Dei Football Coach McManus Out After One Season.
Mater Dei High School announced on Friday the dismissal of head football coach Frank McManus, just one season after leading the Monarchs to CIF Southern Section Division 1 and CIF State Open Division championships.
The school offered no specific reason for the decision, simply stating their sadness at McManus’ departure and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
Randy Wright, coordinator of football operations and marketing, will take over as interim head coach with support from Khaled Holmes, the current associate head coach.
McManus, a former assistant under longtime Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson, had received praise from Mater Dei president Michael Brennan just months ago for his successful season.
Brennan highlighted McManus’ dedication and strong relationships with the players. However, McManus’ coaching style reportedly differed significantly from Rollinson’s.
His sideline demeanor, including shouting and swearing at players during a recent passing tournament, stood in contrast to Rollinson’s more reserved approach.
Mater Dei’s football program has faced scrutiny in recent years, most notably due to a 2021 locker room incident and subsequent lawsuit alleging a cover-up.
President Brennan, hired in early 2022, has been tasked with changing the athletic department’s culture. This move, along with the creation of a new executive director of athletics position, suggests a continued effort to address those concerns.
McManus’ departure leaves many questions unanswered. While Mater Dei remains tight-lipped, the timing and McManus’ coaching style raise speculation about whether his dismissal was performance-related or part of a larger cultural shift within the program
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