Renninger Out as Central Mountain Football Coach

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Central Mountain High School is in the market for a new head football coach. Jim Renninger, Wildcat head coach for the last two years, confirmed to therecord-online that school officials informed him on Monday of this week that the position would again be re-opened. That word came after Renninger and two others had submitted applications for the head coaching slot but were not successful.

The Keystone Central School District had terminated as of January 1 all of last fall’s coaches as part of its budget process. The district posted the football position as open on March 28, applicants told they had until April 4 to apply. Therecord-online learned there were three applicants, Renninger, his predecessor Mike Nines and one other from out of the area.

Acting superintendent Dr. Al Lonoconus said the process was instituted by the school board’s athletic committee which he said decided to open all coaching positions. He confirmed there had been three applicants for the football job and said the third applicant from outside the area was also looking for a full-time teaching position, something the district cannot offer. Lonoconus said the committee then decided to advertise for an additional two weeks to see if they could attract any additional candidates.

Asked about the process, Renninger made this statement: “April 23 I was informed by the Athletic Supervisor and Athletic Director that they were directed to re-open the Head Football Coach position. I can only speculate that re-opening the position meant the school district is looking to go in a different direction and was not satisfied with myself or the other two candidates as potential coaches.”

Renninger said he subsequently informed last year’s players “to focus on what they can control which is how hard they work on and off the field to prepare themselves for next season.” He said he had no further comment at this time. He had been working with underclassmen voluntarily since the end of last season until the recent district decision to again re-open the head coaching position.

Renninger, a social studies teacher at Central Mountain High, had been hired as head coach in March of 2016. He replaced Nines whose contract was not renewed after a 2-year run produced a 3-17 record. Renninger compiled a 4-16 record in his two years as head coach.

Renninger will become the school’s third football coach displaced over a six year period. Nines had succeeded Vinnie Kishbaugh who stepped down after the 2013 season, compiling a 3-year mark of 10-21. The school district is now looking for a fourth different head coach since 2013.

Renninger was a standout football player at Bald Eagle-Nittany High School and Clarion University. He later coached at Montgomery High School.

The school board athletic committee is chaired by Roger Elling; other members are Jennifer Bottorf, Wayne Koch and Ben Probert.