Manning leaving Huntley for Schaumburg
Huntley High School boys basketball coach Marty Manning told his returning players on Tuesday he has accepted the same position at Schaumburg, according to sources at that meeting.
Pending the approval of the District 211 school board at its meeting Thursday night, Manning will succeed Matt Walsh as the next coach of the Saxons.
Manning said Wednesday he could not comment on the development, first reported on Twitter by Windy City Hoops.
A Hoffman Estates graduate, Manning was a leader at point guard for coach Bill Wandro's 1996 Class AA state quarterfinalists.
In 2003, the Illinois graduate arrived at Huntley as a business teacher and assistant girls basketball coach. He directed Huntley's sophomore boys basketball team the next two seasons and was named varsity coach in 2006, inheriting a team that went 8-21 and finished last in its division of the Fox Valley Conference the previous season.
The Red Raiders immediately improved to 23-6 and won a Class AA regional title in Manning's first season, but that was just the start. He turned Huntley into a regional power, known for its relentless brand of team defense. In his eight seasons Huntley won 162 games and lost 68 (.704). His teams won 20 or more games five times and won five regional titles, including three in the last four seasons.
He departs the Fox Valley Conference after leading Huntley to four consecutive Valley Division championships.
"We're definitely losing a great defensive mind," said Huntley senior Amanze Egekeze, a Belmont recruit who played for Manning the last four seasons. "He's a very cerebral and methodical kind of coach, and the attention he puts in as far as preparing for our opponents is hard to find."
Walsh stepped down in March, citing the need to spend more time with family. He coached Schaumburg for five seasons to a record of 87-58, three regional championships, two overall Mid-Suburban League titles and three MSL West crowns.
Schaumburg athletic director Tim Kirby did not return phone calls or an email seeking comment Wednesday. Asked if the Huntley coaching position has been vacated, athletic director Michelle Jakubowski also declined to comment.