Mater Dei coach Frank McManus during the nonleague football opener against Centennial on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in Corona. (Photo provided by Mirka Soko, contributing photographer)
Frank McManus has been fired as head coach of the Mater Dei football team after one season, the school announced Friday.
McManus led the Monarchs to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 and CIF State Open Division championships in the 2023 season. They lost to St. John Bosco in the Trinity League game, falling to 13 wins and 1 loss. Mater Dei defeated St. John Bosco in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game.
He is in his 34th year as Mater Dei's head coach, replacing Bruce Rawlinson, who resigned after the 2022 season. McManus was an assistant coach under Rawlinson.
The reason for the school's decision to release Mater Dei was not disclosed.
“We are disappointed to announce Coach McManus' retirement from Mater Dei High School. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” said Mater Dei President Michael Brennan.
Randy Wright, coordinator of football operations and marketing, will serve as interim head coach, with Khalid Holmes continuing to assist as associate head coach.
Brennan said the school had no additional comment.
McManus did not respond to a request for comment via text message.
In December, Brennan praised McManus after the Monarchs defeated Serra of San Mateo 35-0 in the state championship game.
“Frank has done a great job this year,” Brennan told the Register. “I don’t think we could have asked for anything more from a coach. I worked really hard to continue to help them become that.”
“It was a huge hire,” Brennan added of McManus. “I think I got it right. Frank is a very special person and we are very, very grateful to have him as our head coach. And the relationship he has with the kids is very special. It's a relationship, because they know he loves his kids. …They know that even if they step out of line a little, he makes it right because he loves them. Masu.”
McManus, 47, had a visibly and audibly different style from Rawlinson's.
Rollinson wore a tie to the game. A backwards cap was often part of McManus' appearance on the sideline.
Rolinson's postgame comments were measured and delivered slowly. During a television interview after Mater Dei defeated St. John Bosco in the CIF-SS final, McManus said, “I'll race against anyone in the middle of Bristol,” referring to Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas. Shouted out. Named 2023 National Champion by MaxPreps.com.
During Sunday's 7-on-7 passing tournament at Beckman High School, McManus could be heard berating the team's eighth-grade level players.
The football program at Mater Dei, a coeducational high school in Santa Ana's Orange Parish, has gained notoriety for more than its consistent success on the field.
The 2021 locker room incident, which resulted in a fight between two players in the soccer program that left one player with an alleged brain injury, was followed by the Mater Dei and Roman Catholic Church of Orange. A lawsuit against the diocese has been settled. The organization to which Mater Dei belongs is suspected of trying to cover up the incident.
Mr. Brennan was hired as President of Mater Dei in January 2022, replacing Father Mater Dei. Walter Jenkins. Changing the cultural course of the Mater Dei athletics stadium was part of his mission.
One of Brennan's early moves at Mater Dei was to install Joel Hartman in the newly created position of executive director of athletics. Hartman worked in Servit's athletic department when Brennan was Servit's principal.
Mr. Jenkins served as Mater Dei's president for six months. Before his departure, Jenkins hired a Sacramento law firm to investigate Mater Dei's safety protocols and its athletic program. The evaluation results have not been made public.
Staff writer Dan Albano contributed reporting.
