PANAMA CITY — Rutherford has named girls head basketball coach Tony Davis as the school’s new athletic director and boys head basketball coach.
“Coach Davis brings a toughness to our program and a winning pedigree that will continue to position Rutherford at the forefront of basketball in Bay County and beyond,” Rutherford principal, Dr. Todd Mitchell, said in a press release. “While the role of Athletic Director will be a new challenge, I have every confidence that Coach Davis will lead the same commitment to excellence that has defined his career.”
In three seasons with the Lady Rams, Davis has compiled a 73-8 record, winning three straight district titles, three Elite Eight appearances and has been named coach of the year twice.
Davis will replace head coach Rhondie Ross who held the position for 22 years and former athletic director Jabbar Manning, who submitted his letter of resignation on May 22.
Manning has been at Rutherford since 2018 and took over as the Rams’ athletic director in 2022 following the departure of Loren Tillman.
“It is time for me to try something different and focus on my family, Manning told the News Herald. “I am still figuring out my next steps at the moment.”
Manning has overseen several athletic achievements during his tenure, including the latter half of the girls basketball team’s run of five consecutive district titles, a state championship by weightlifter Aleiyah Willett, and a tennis doubles state championship from sisters Mbongta and Bi-Neh Awantang.
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Rutherford names coach Tony Davis as new AD and boys basketball coach
Reporting by Banji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
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