Warrenton High School is searching for a new varsity volleyball coach.
Drew DeManuele announced last week that he will be leaving his position after three years to pursue an opportunity in the Troy School District.
He says it was a decision that came rather late in the school year and took a lot of consideration.
“The move puts me a little closer to home and will give me the chance to spend more time with my family,” explained DeManuele.
DeManuele spent four years in the Warren County R-III School District, teaching industrial technology at Black Hawk Middle School. He coached middle school volleyball for one season, before being promoted to varsity leader. DeManuele also coached freshman baseball for one spring, before spending the final three years as junior varsity coach.
“I was always pleased with the job he did,” said activities director Craig Frazier. “He brought a lot of enthusiasm to the court and got the girls to work well as a team.”
DeManuele will serve as a ninth- grade industrial technology instructor at Troy High School, while also coaching freshman baseball and volleyball.
“I’ve had great opportunities in Warrenton and have no regrets,” said DeManuele. “The hardest part is going to be walking away from the kids.”
DeManuele compiled a 24-48 record during three seasons as the Warriors’ head volleyball coach. He led the Warriors to breakthrough conference and district victories last fall.
“He got our teams progressing in the right direction,” said Activities Director Craig Frazier. “I feel like he left the team in a good situation and poised to keep doing well.”
DeManuele brought previous coaching experience from Cardinal Ritter, where he spent seven years. He helped establish new rivalries, including a Commissioner’s Cup meeting against Wright City in each of the past two seasons.
“My goal was to leave the program in better shape than when I took it over,” said DeManuele. “I think we got it going in the right direction.”
Additionally, DeManuele encouraged offseason commitment and was successful in drawing more participation at camps and on select teams.
“We had a mission to get more girls to play club volleyball and build more involvement in the program, and I feel like we accomplished that,” said DeManuele.
DeManuele also had two seniors sign to play collegiate volleyball following the 2011 season.
Frazier says the school expects to post the vacancy by the end of the week and promptly begin searching for candidates. He adds that the late timing and the limited number of academic roles may present some additional challenges.
“We don’t have a lot of teaching positions to go along with it right now,” said Frazier. “But I’m confident we’ll find a good candidate to take over the program.”
