Bill McGee, Jim France, and Larry Hackenberg

Guest: Coach Jim France
Hosts: Larry Hackenberg & Bill McGee

Longtime Akron Manchester football coach (and head principal!) Jim France joins enters The Time Machine this week; in the co-pilot seat, former Garfield football coach Bill McGee returns to help Larry navigate the time stream as we venture back through the years of Coach France’s storied career!

Learn all about Coach France’s start as a high school player himself as a 3 sport star at Spingfield followed by football and baseball at Muskingum college!  From there, we we arrive at Parris Island as Jim enlists in the Marine Corps for an experience that will have a huge influence on his coaching and educative careers to come.

Learn about Coach France’s first head coaching position at…. Akron Coventry???

Following that, we rocket to the late 80s when the groundwork is laid for a streak impressive by any measure as Manchester makes FIFTEEN STRAIGHT state playoff appearances (1991 – 2005)!  The 1989 team in particular is focused on during this segment.

Then, we have a detailed discussion on the 1997 incarnation of The Panthers with hard fought victories over Youngstown East, Canton Central Catholic, and Benedictine which took them to the state championship game!  Our mentioned interview with Coach Lowell Klinefelter of Central Catholic can be heard here.

As someone who’s seen the Ohio playoff system evolve from its beginnings, what does Coach France think of its current state and, if it were up to him, what changes would he make?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of his unique position leading a dual life as Manchester’s head football coach and also Principal of 26 years?  Coach France answers ALL!

And, as our conversation draws to a close, we learn about the tremendous family support Coach France has been blessed with on the homefront with his wife of 47 years, Nancy, and their 3 children.  Finally, we discuss Manchester — the community.  Coach tells us what makes this place special and what the school means by the slogan “We pride ourselves on being a little bit better than our neighbors.”  A special conversation with a special guy — enjoy!