Thompson High School needed look no further than across the coaches office to find a replacement for longtime coach Ricky Seale, who announced his retirement last month.

Principal Ron Griggs told Brian Maner, a THS assistant coach for the past three seasons, that he had been chosen to fill Seale’s shoes as head football coach and athletic director on Friday.

The appointment came in the middle of spring practice for the Warriors, who finished last season with a 6-4 overall record after making the jump to Class 6A. Thompson just missed the playoffs after finishing 2-4 in region play.

Griggs said Maner was selected for the position from a narrowed list of six candidates.

&uot;Consistency is a very important thing for the kids,&uot; Griggs said. &uot;I’m sure there will be some changes that (Maner) will make. But the kids know him, the parents know him.&uot;

Maner was previously head coach at Buckhorn and Cordova, where he led the Blue Devils to a 3A state championship in 1995.

He has served on two college staffs including a stint at West Alabama and most recently, at Tennessee-Martin.

&uot;I’m really excited about the opportunity to coach here and to coach these young men,&uot; Maner said. &uot;I’m really looking forward to it.

&uot;I just want to say how much I appreciate coach Seale and Mr. Griggs, and all they’ve done. And I appreciate the kids continuing to work through the spring.&uot;

Thompson wraps up spring practice with a jamboree game at Hewitt-Trussville tomorrow night at 7 p.m