When the Manchester High School varsity football program announced its new head coach, the name that resonated across the locker room was Shannon James. A former standout at the University of Connecticut, James spent five seasons in the NFL, catching the eye of the Baltimore Ravens before embarking on a productive stint in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders. After years of service as an assistant in the Pop Warner ranks and a defensive coaching role at Avon and East Catholic, he returns to the community that first shaped his love for the game.
James inherits a squad that finished the 2025 campaign with a 2‑8 record but managed to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in three decades. Ten starters return, among them a revamped offensive line, a trio of experienced wide receivers — Kobe Jackson, Sam Mojica and Prince Owusu — and the dynamic quarterback Kaden Bradford. Bradford, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, is now fully healthy and eager to exploit the depth at receiver and the continuity along the line.
A schedule that tests resolve
The 2026 slate is stacked with five matchups against teams that advanced to the CIAC playoffs a year ago, including back‑to‑back road trips to Darien, Southington and Windsor. Those contests will serve as early barometers for a team that must blend youthful energy with the poise of seasoned seniors.
Adding a strategic layer to the preparation is Ashton Grant, a New England Patriots quarterbacks coach and Manchester native. Grant, who honed his craft at the professional level before returning to his hometown, has been working with the quarterbacks and skill players throughout the summer, offering insights that bridge college and pro football.
The optimism is palpable. While the previous season ended without a win, the combination of returning talent, a coach with proven NFL experience, and mentorship from a local legend creates a foundation for a potential resurgence. If the pieces click, the program could finally break the 30‑year playoff drought and rewrite its narrative.