The San Francisco 49ers Charlie Wedemeyer Memorial Coach of the Week award for week seven goes to Carlo Maningo from Overfelt High School in San Jose, CA.
Overfelt High School was firing on all cylinders Friday night, operating like the well-oiled machine head coach Carlo Maningo has been confident his team would reach from the get-go. The Overfelt Royals defeated the Andrew P. Hill Falcons by a resounding score of 56-0.
The Royals' no huddle, tempo offense got going early and wore the Falcons down by the second quarter. Overfelt was steadily running the ball all night long, which only added to their ability to overpower the Andrew Hill defense early.
"The running game did a great job. Seven rushing touchdowns… The offensive line was a big part of what we did right in this game. The defense finally came together in this one with a few key additions returning from injury and stabilizing our defense. It was a great team win. I'm really proud of them," said Overfelt Head Coach, Carlo Maningo.
This is Carlo Maningo's third year as head coach at Overfelt High School, but it's much more than a head coaching job for Coach Maningo. If it wasn't Overfelt, Coach Maningo would have retired from his coaching career and instead be spending the time he currently dedicates to building a winning football program with his beloved family. However, the football gods, and the Overfelt High School community had different plans for Coach Maningo.
Maningo graduated from Overfelt High School himself. After his playing career was over, Maningo began coaching. He spent the majority of his coaching career at Independence High School as their offensive coordinator. He also spent a season at Piedmont Hills High School. During his time at Independence, the staff there would attend local East Bay high school football camps. Coach Maningo would see his alma matter there each year, and naturally always took an interest in how they performed. In fact, throughout his entire coaching career, the Overfelt alum always followed his Royals. Who could blame him? Once a Royal, always a Royal.
Years ago, back during these camps, Coach Maningo made a comment to a buddy of his, stating, "If a coaching job ever were to open up there [Overfelt High School], I would take it. No doubt. I would take it."
Fast-forward a handful of years to 2014, and that exact opportunity became available. Overfelt High School was looking to bring in a new head coach to take over a program that had been struggling. Coach Maningo was ready to hang it up, but that is when his buddy back from the camp days reminded him of a comment he consistently made back then: "If a coaching job were to open up there, I would take it. No doubt."
That was all the football coach and loyal Royal in him needed to hear. The rest is now history.
"I am just happy Mark Delgado [Overfelt Athletic Director] and Vito Chiala [Overfelt Principal] thought I was the right man for the job," said Maningo.
"The program just needed an attitude adjustment. They just needed something to believe in," said Coach. "And that is something we try to install as a staff."
What Coach Maningo may not know, is the amount of support, belief, and the true admiration his superiors have for him. They are not only firm in their conviction of him being the right man for the job as head football coach, but for the person he is and everything he represents as well.
"You really could not have selected a more deserving coach. That is not just because of his technical and tactical football knowledge; it has even more to do with how well he motivates our student athletes to be the best they can be in everything they do. He is a true leader both from this community and for this community," said Vito Chiala, Principal at Overfelt.
The support behind Coach Maningo from the entire Overfelt High School community is undeniable and speaks volumes to what he means to this school.
Similarly, the feeling is certainly reciprocated by Coach Maningo. He has the utmost gratitude towards his staff at Overfelt, his players he coaches each and every day, and the entire Overfelt community.
"I really would just like to thank my staff in receiving this recognition. I'm just the lucky one that gets to put my name on the program. They spend the countless hours with the kids and do all the hard work. They deserve this as much, if not more, than I do," insisted Coach Maningo. "And
of course the kids. I am very proud of the players, especially after this last one. They played to their potential and I'm really proud of the group we have here."
"I am truly humbled and honored that the 49ers selected me for this award. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to coach at Overfelt and appreciate the light this can shine on such a great establishment," said Coach Maningo.
As our Coach of the Week, Carlo Maningo will receive a $1,000 grant for the Overfelt High School football program from the 49ers Foundation. As part of this award, he will also receive two tickets to a 49ers home game where he will be recognized on the field. The week prior to the game, Coach Maningo will be invited to the visit the SAP Performance Facility to watch a closed practice where 49ers head coach Chip Kelly will officially present him with his award. Coach Maningo will also be featured on Cal-Hi Sports during their programming this weekend.
Congratulations, Coach Maningo, and thank you for all you do for the Overfelt community!
