Central Basketball Coaches News

Here's some updates on the 2 head basketball coaches at Central High as reported by the UL:


October 03. 2014

John Habib's City Sports: Coach/administrator Wenners to do double duty at Central
     
Mike Wenners will now be wearing three hats at Manchester Central.

The Manchester Board of School Committee recently named Wenners as the school’s athletic coordinator, replacing Jane Clayton, who is now an assistant principal at Hillside Middle School.

I’m excited to have Mike on board,” said Manchester Public Schools athletic director Chris Donovan. “Mike has a good rapport with the Central community. He’s extremely responsible, thorough and astute. Just a good man and person.”

Wenners, 43, is a guidance counselor at Central and will be entering his 12th season as the head varsity girls’ basketball coach there. In 11 seasons, he has guided Central to one Division I finals appearance in 2008 and four overall “Final Four” berths.

He started his coaching career at Central in 1992. He served two seasons as the freshman boys’ basketball coach and nine seasons as the boys’ junior varsity coach before switching to the girls’ program.

“It was Jane who asked me if I’d be interested in taking over her job,” said Wenners. “I said I would if I could continue to coach. I love coaching and didn’t want to give it up.”

Considering Jack Quirk at Memorial is both the boys’ varsity basketball coach and athletic coordinator there, Donovan said Wenners was capable of handling his responsibilities at Central.

Clayton, who did an outstanding job in her role as athletic coordinator for many years, received high praise from Donovan. “She’s a wonderful person who meant a lot to many over the years at Central and throughout the city.

She has unbelievable people skills and I know I’m going to miss her. But it’s nice to see her move into another job she wanted to do and she’s still in the city.”

CENTRAL boys’ basketball coach Dave “Doc” Wheeler will be undergoing two knee surgeries before the season begins in December.

“I’m having knee replacement surgery on my left knee and I’m scoping my right knee,” said Wheeler. “I had my left knee scoped a few times already, but now I’m dealing with arthritic pain. I have to have the surgery.”

Wheeler said his surgery will take place on Nov. 24, but says he’ll be ready to coach the team.

“By hook or crook, even if I have to wheel myself into the gym, I’m going to coach my team from start to end this season,” said Wheeler.