The departure of three coaches will be replaced with new ,fresh faces. The girls’ volleyball coach will be replaced by winning coach Fred Mann, the girls’ basketball coach is getting closer to attaining Peter Salazar, and boys’ soccer is in the process of getting a coach.
Fred Mann coached at Mountain Pointe and had tremendous success; he won eight total state championships, one for women and seven for men. He was also named coach of the year in 2008. “He was a huge hire,” Principal Dan Serrano stated. Indeed he was, because the girls’ volleyball program is at its lowest point right now.
The last three seasons have been horrendous with less than ten wins per year. Their overall record record during that span was 16-64 with each of the seasons having at least 20 losses. “Coach Mann comes with a ton of experience, known as one of the best coaches in the state,” Athletics Director Jennifer Burks stated. His championship ways should rub off on the Pumas and pull them closer to a winning season and eventually a state championship.
Peter Salazar was the girls’ JV basketball coach at Corona Del Sol and brought that team success, but can he make the jump from a JV coach to a Varsity coach?
He also has to turn a program around that has not had success since its first two years. The last three years have been a struggle with a combined record of 31-49. Hopefully he makes a smooth transition from JV to varsity. This coaching change is still being approved by the school board.
The coaching vacancy for boys soccer was a complete shock for everyone. Jim Vanney was an excellent coach and the boys soccer program was on the rise, but now the soccer team has to stand behind another coach. No one yet knows for sure who will replace Vanney, and no names have been released on who is a candidate. “We are in the process of hiring,” Burks stated.
Great things are expected from the coaches picked, and could make an impact as soon as next season. From the hiring of a rookie to the hiring of a champion, the Pumas are expected to hang some banners from the ceiling in the distant future.
