The first time Fred Salanoa left the helm as head football coach at Radford, the possibility of an eventual return was always there.
He guided Radford to the Division II state championship in 2016, then stepped away to stay close as his three daughters embarked on their prep soccer careers.
The former Radford and Eastern Washington quarterback returned in 2019, rebuilding a winless program back to competitiveness.
In 2024, the Rams went 4-3 in OIA D-I play, posting wins over Redondo (Calif.), Kailua, Pearl City and Nanakuli before losing to Leilehua and Waianae to close Salanoa’s 18th season as head coach.
Salanoa stepped down after the 2024 season, closing with a career mark of 90-77 (.539). Radford kept the decision in house, went through the rigors of the hiring process and selected assistant coach Mason Manuma as head coach in January.
“We have a culture that is very different because of our military population. I don’t think there’s anything comparable,” Salanoa said, noting that the student enrollment is 68% military in origin.
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Salanoa is now in a new position as assistant athletic director under longtime AD Kelly Sur.
This keeps the legacy of Radford athletics and football alive. Salanoa followed in the footsteps of John Velasco and Robert Stevens. Manuma will now follow the path taken by his uncle, Salanoa. He embraces the tradition of leadership as a Ram.
“Pressure is a privilege. Radford has a rich tradition athletically stemming back to…
Source link : https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/08/03/sports/hawaii-prep-world/hiring-of-manuma-as-coach-keeps-legacy-of-radford-athletics-alive/
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Publish date : 2025-08-03 16:04:00
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