One of the state’s biggest high school football coaching jobs is open.
Russ Mann, who led Ben Davis to a Class 6A state championship in 2023, did not expect it to be open as recently as a few days ago. But after back-to-back losing seasons, a first for the tradition-rich program since 1982 and ’83, Mann said the administration told him they were looking to move in a different direction.
Mann informed his players on Monday that he had resigned as coach.
“I thought we had more time,” Mann said. “The state of the program is in a condition that whoever takes over is in good shape and is going to succeed in a big way and I’m going to be really happy for them. We gained a lot of momentum toward the end of the season.”
After a 13-1 season in the championship season of 2023, the Giants slipped to 5-6 and 3-7 the past two seasons, respectively. The Giants, after losing by three touchdowns to Avon in Week 2, nearly knocked off the Orioles in the first round of the sectional, falling 23-21.
Mann was hired in March of 2023 when former coach Jason Simmons took an assistant coaching position at Miami of Ohio. The former Concord High School quarterback and Butler captain had been an assistant for 19 years during stops at North Central, Lawrence Central and Warren Central. Mann joined the Ben Davis staff as an assistant in 2022 under Simmons.
Mann’s overall record at Ben Davis is 21-14. He also coached 2024 IndyStar Mr. Football Mark Zackery IV, now a freshman at Notre Dame.
There were expected growing pains this season with 18 new starters, including a freshman quarterback in Gabe Kennett, who showed promise with 1,480 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Mann believes the program, which has 10 state championships in his history, is ready to make a jump next season.
“We had 90-plus kids at our last workout and we had 10 (offseason workouts) already,” Mann said. “The juice is heading in the right direction. I was really happy with our first 10 days. It reminded me our 2012 team at LC when we lost to Carmel (in the 2011 sectional). It felt like, ‘It’s on now.’ We had that same drive going. The pulse of the program is going in the right direction. Whoever is next in line is going to be taking over a program going the right way.”
Ben Davis joins Mooresville as Central Indiana programs with football coaching openings. Mike Gillin retired at Mooresville in late October, ending his 47-year coaching career.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Russ Mann steps down as Ben Davis football coach after three seasons
Reporting by Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
