Cougars at a Glance
- Coronado team page & schedule
- Coronado roster
- Colors: Navy blue, red and white
- Coach: John Mannion, first year
- Homecoming game: Sept. 26 against Green Valley
- Key players: QB Dane Cooper, MLB/FB Tyler Tebbs, DE Chance Bass, RB Marcus Garcia
- Prediction: Cougars finish in bottom of Southeast
First-year Coronado coach John Mannion didn’t walk into a perfect situation when he took over the Cougars’ program late last spring.
Mannion was hired May 30, a time in the offseason when most programs are deep into the planning phase for the upcoming fall. He also had the task of replacing several key graduates from last year’s playoff-qualifying squad that rattled off a five-game winning streak to end the regular season.
“We definitely have a lot of work to do,” said Mannion, formerly Del Sol’s defensive coordinator. “One of the obstacles for us early on has been integrating my style of coaching into the style they’re all used to. We’ll look a little different on offense — it needed some retooling — but they’ve responded well.”
Because of the late start, Coronado was unable to travel to a contact camp this summer. Most schools attended UNLV’s camp or similar week-long camps hosted by universities that included full-pad scrimmages.
“(A camp) would have answered the question of who can hit — who can get physical and really bring it,” Mannion said. “I don’t think it should be too much of a problem, but we do need to speed things up and get more proficient. I’m hoping it’s just a matter of repetition. You get enough reps and all of a sudden the lights come on.”
Size will also be an obstacle for the Cougars as Mannion predicts an under-sized offensive line that will rely on speed to protect new quarterback Dane Cooper.
Cooper takes over for three-year starter Brady McManus, who threw for 1,423 yards last year and a Southeast Division-leading 17 touchdowns.
Marcus Garcia will compete for carries in the backfield, where the Cougars will need a more effective running attack than last year’s 695 yards.
Linebacker Tyler Tebbs and defensive end Chance Bass said opponents should expect an upgraded defense.
“(Mannion) knows football,” Tebbs said. “We all respect him and know that he knows what he’s talking about. ... I think he’s really preparing us for a good season.”
Jared Harmon is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].
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