Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Lonergan steps down as head coach at SM South

Ryan Lonergan. KC Star.
On Wednesday, Ryan Lonergan tendered his resignation as the head coach of SM South.

"I really feel like the program is on better ground now than when I arrived," Lonergan said. "There are great kids and parents at SM South, but it's time for me to move on."

Lonergan spent four seasons as the Raiders' head coach. In that time, he compiled a 13-24 (.351) record.

Lonergan came to SM South as an assistant from SM West. When he inherited the program, the Raiders had gone six years without having won more than three games in any one season.

SM South went 2-7 in Lonergan's first year, then improved to 4-5 in both 2012 and 2013. They dropped to 3-7 this past fall, but did manage to make the playoffs for the first time under Lonergan's watch.

Lonergan noted he plans to continue coaching and teaching, but has yet to make a decision on where or in what capacity.

The head coaching vacancy is the fourth of its kind this offseason in the Sunflower League, and the third from within the Shawnee Mission School District.

5 comments:

Viking Fan said...

Not that South was great but they have undoubtedly progressed with Lonergan at the helm. We'll see who they get but I feel this is a loss for the Raiders. This has to be one of the biggest coaching turnover season the League has seen in a while.

Sunflower football news said...

I agree with you Viking fan. Huge loss for South, but he had it going in the right direction, and revived it himself out of the 10-36 hole the preview HC had the program.

At no time in Sunflower History 1951-Present (& SMSD-5), has there ever been three Head Coaching Football changes in one off-season.

Since SMN's last Football Title in the Fall of '74, the Indians are on a drought of 40 seasons w/o a Title, SMNW 33 seasons since the '81 title under Severino, and SMS 39 seasons since their '75 title under John Davis.

8timestatechamps said...

I have heard he might be getting the BVSW job that is open but can't confirm...

Sunflower football news said...

Whatever happens at SMS, the future HC will be the first (7th Head Coach overall in Team history) to get to lead the team in its 50th Football season, as well as their first W at the school to be the schools 250th Win overall as well.

Not bad to add that to their Coaching resume when they arrive on scene for the Raiders.

SMS watcher said...

Big loss for South. Lonergan made the Raiders competitive. Maybe one playmaker away from having a great season two years ago as they beat ON and cameback from a 2 TD deficit to take SME into overtime -- the two teams in substate game.