Coventry Jets have selected Paul Rickhuss to take on the role of the
clubs Head Coach, recently vacated by Gerry McManus.
The new coach is a native of Coventry, moving to the USA in 1980 when he was nine. To Texas, originally then Washington and finally Arizona. He served three years in the US Army before returning to Coventry in 1996
Rickhuss began playing at Kitty Hawk Junior High School. then moved
onto Judson High School in Converse Texas where as a freshman
defensive tackle he was one of only five players selected to go up to
varsity. He then went to Washington State, where he played as a
fullback and rushed for nearly 2000 yards in two seasons and as a
senior in high school he made the all conference team that made it to
the quarter finals of the state play offs. He was recruited by a few
Division 1 Colleges but due a knee injury he was unable to take up any
of the offers.
He got his start as a coach by going into local schools and in his
first year took St Marys to the Championship game which was one of my
best football experiences, as they had never played the game before
and just lost to a team who had a fair few of Great Britain players.
He has been the assistant head coach for the Jet Junior team for 2
years, and was assistant head coach of the senior Jets in the 2011
season. Rickhuss will feel right at home with the Jets as he played
for them since 2005, winning several titles including the 2008
National Championship.
His response to his appointment was:
‘Firstly I would like to thank coach McManus for all his support and
guidance that he has given me over the years as a player and a coach.
Now it is time for the jets to have a fresh start, Gerry has done so
much and taken the club from strength to strength. I think we need a
new look, and I hope to give them this with my appointment. I have
taken on a group of young lads that I feel have the heart and ability
to achieve great things again, but Rome was not built in a day. We are
now in the process of building a winning team for next season. As for
the future it has to be what every coach wants Championships, I want
to get the Jets back on their flight path through new ideas, hard work
and enthusiasm."