New Central Mountain football hire upbeat on prospects

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – On the day after he was named the new Central Mountain football coach, Shanon Manning left no doubt he believes Wildcat football can be a very good thing.

Manning was hired by the Keystone Central School Board Thursday night and Friday he sat down for a Zoom interview with local media. The Penns Valley native talked about the process to bring success to a Central Mountain program which has not seen a winning season since 2008.

He cited longtime Clearfield High School football coach Tim Janocko as an example of a establishing a successful program (he did point out his teams at Bellefonte defeated Clearfield four of the last six times they played the Bison). He said games are not won just on Friday nights, but are won well before the contests start. Manning said his approach will not be limited to football but to long-term academic success as well.

He said the football task will require hard work, including in the weight room. He said “football is not a hobby sport” and there will be expectations for team members. He said he expects a better feel for where the program is by June l, after some time in the off-season with returning team members. Manning noted how athletes in his successful run at Bellefonte High School did what was asked of them to be successful; and said that “kids are kids” and need structure and need to be held accountable.

Asked about why he took the Central Mountain job after eight years at Bellefonte, Manning said he “liked the feel of the school,” noting a new superintendent and athletic director in the district and said he feels “the community is ready to take off.”

Manning had been the Bellefonte coach since 2013. He previously coached as defensive coordinator at Bald Eagle Area from 2011 to 2012 and from 2000 to 2010 as defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Penns Valley High School. He also coached in 1999 for Bellefonte, where he was defensive coordinator. He said the Central Mountain community has the same “blue collar” background as those nearby schools.

He is a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he was a standout football player. He presently is involved in counseling services for high school-aged students.

Manning replaces Jim Renninger who resigned last November after five years directing the Wildcat football program. Central Mountain went 10-38 under Renninger, including a 4-4 2020 season, which included a District Six Class 5A runner-up finish.

Manning’s wife, Christina, is director of pupil services for the Keystone Central district. They have three daughters.