One of the state’s biggest high school football coaching jobs is open.
Russ Mann, after three seasons at Ben Davis, told his players on Monday that he is stepping down as coach. Mann led the Giants to a Class 6A state championship in his first season in 2023 with a team that finished 13-1.
Ben Davis Giants linebacker Andrew Evans (12) celebrates with Ben Davis Giants head coach Russ Mann on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, during the IHSAA Class 6A football state championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Ben Davis Giants lead at the half against the Crown Point Bulldogs, 10-3.Ben Davis slipped to 5-6 last year and 3-7 this season, falling 23-21 to Avon in the first round of the sectional. It marked the first time the Giants posted back-to-back losing seasons since 1982 and ’83. 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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMann 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.
Ben Davis is a 10-time state champion in football.
Story will be updated
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 resigns as Ben Davis football coach after three seasons
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