Colorado State University Pueblo women’s soccer coach Sierra Cardenas has announced the addition of Frankie LaManna as an assistant coach. LaManna began his duties at CSU Pueblo on Feb. 1.
"I would like to thank Sierra (Cardenas) and the CSU Pueblo Athletic Department for this amazing opportunity," said LaManna. "I am very excited to work with such a talented group of student-athletes. I love Sierra's approach to facilitating the growth of the person and the player. I am eager to build on the culture and success that has been in place and I look forward to chasing trophies for years to come."
"We had an extensive and competitive search, with over 40 applicants, for our next assistant coach. I couldn't be more excited about where that search lead, and I believe we have found the right person in Coach LaManna," said Pack Head Coach Sierra Cardenas. "His experience coaching across all levels of the NCAA and in the club ranks will allow him to have a huge and immediate impact on player development, recruiting, tactical game plans and day-to-day operations."
Cardenas added, "Most importantly, Coach LaManna's approach to coaching aligns perfectly with mine and with the values that our program is built on. He is a player centered coach and takes a holistic approach to player development. Together, we will continue to build on the excellent tradition of Pack Women's Soccer, while helping our players to be the best versions of themselves, on and off the pitch."
LaManna, a Pittsburgh native, comes to Pueblo after spending two seasons on J.B. Belzer’s UCCS women’s staff as a volunteer assistant. In his time at UCCS, the Mountain Lions finished both seasons in the top-25 of DII. In his time at UCCS, the team won its first ever double, winning the RMAC regular season and RMAC tournament championship in 2021. In his two seasons at UCCS, the team collected one All-American, four All-Region, and nine All-RMAC selections including the 2022 RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year, Lex Walker.
Prior to his time at UCCS, LaManna spent time as an assistant on Tom Ovenden’s staff for the Steel City FC WPSL team.
LaManna was the full-time assistant for Saint Francis University – PA (DI) women’s soccer program during the 2019-2020 season. LaManna coached the NEC-Offensive Player of the Year, Alyssa McGhee. While at Saint Francis, he was in charge of overseeing player academics. The team broke the program’s GPA record in both semesters with a 3.678 and 3.697, respectively. In his time at SFU, the team also lead the athletic department with 41.44 volunteer hours per player.
Before making the trip to Loretto, PA, LaManna coached at his alma-mater, Robert Morris University, with former United States National Team coach, John Kowalski, as a volunteer assistant for the 2018-2019 season before taking the full-time position at Saint Francis. While at RMU LaManna primarily worked with the goalkeepers who achieved a top-10 national ranking in saves per game. Keeper Julia Schmid was able to break the single season save percentage record and Jane Schleicher picked up the first NEC-Offensive Player of the Year in program history. The team also picked up the program’s first ever Sportsmanship Award.
In addition to coach at Saint Francis University (DI – women’s) and Robert Morris University (DI – women’s), LaManna also previously coached collegiately at Defiance College (DIII – men’s), Duquesne University (DI – men’s), and California University of PA (DII – women’s). He also coached for the PAWest Olympic Development Program for seven years. In addition to ODP, LaManna coached for Century, PFC, and Beadling soccer clubs in the greater Pittsburgh area.
LaManna graduated from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a dual major in Finance and Economics in 2013. He received a Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Science with a focus on soccer coaching from Ohio University in 2017. He is currently taking courses at Liberty University for his PhD in Psychology.
