By Michael Paul Fine ’22, Editor-in-Chief

New Football Coach, Ryan Manale, Excited to Get to Work 

The Jesuit football team has hired a new head football coach. Scott Bairnsfather has stepped down as interim coach, and Ryan Manale, former all-metro football team Coach of the Year, is the new coach.  

Manale spent time as the De La Salle Head Coach and Director of Athletics, and Jesuit is the “next challenge in his career.”  

Manale coached De La Salle to three division two State Championship games is 2017, 2019, and 2020. 

Coach Songy took over the head coach position in 2014 and stepped down before the start of the 2020 season. Scott Bairnsfather was hired as the interim head coach and led the team to a 5-5 season with a tough loss to Brother Martin in the second round of the playoffs. Bairnsfather posted impressive victories over Holy Cross in the 101^st Rivalry Game, Shaw, and Hahnville. After declining the head coach position, Manale was hired as the new coach. 

In an interview with Crescent City Sports, Manale states that he “can’t wait to be a part of the Jesuit family. There are many great people that have walked these halls.” 

Manale is a well-rounded coach with a balanced offensive and defensive side of the ball. Rising seniors Joseph Barnett ’22 and Dennis Doughtery ’22 along with Tyler Autin ’23 and Spencer Lanosga ’24 lead an experienced defense. Jack Larriviere ’22 and Jace Larsen ’23 lead a very impressive and talented offensive side of the ball. 

With a new coach and an experienced, talented group of upperclassmen, next year should be a recipe for excitement and success.