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.