| Email: | rmanches@gmc.edu |
| Title: | Athletic Director/Head Football Coach |
| City: | Milledgeville |
| State: | GA |
| Phone: | Office: 478-387-4705 |
| Twitter: | @rmchester00 |
Rob Manchester is entering his 24th season at Georgia Military College and his fifth as the Bulldogs' Head Coach. He also serves as the Junior College's Athletic Director, overseeing GMC's nine sports programs. The 2024 season proved to be Manchester's most successful to date. His Bulldogs reached the NJCAA National Semifinals for the first time since the inception of the Junior College playoff system in 2021. Their final, regular-season ranking of #2 allowed GMC to host their first-ever National Semifinal game on Historic Davenport Field. They finished season 10-2 and achieved a final ranking of #3 in the country, Manchester's highest final ranking as Head Coach. Seven Bulldogs would go on to earn NJCAA All-American honors, tying for the most in program history since 2002. In 2023, his Bulldogs finished with a record of 7-4 and a final NJCAA ranking of #11 in the country. In 2022, GMC finished with an 8-2 record and a final NJCAA ranking of #12 in the country. Before the 2024 season, six individuals went on to earn NJCAA All-American honors. During Manchester's first season at the helm, the Bulldogs went 6-5 while competing against one of the most demanding schedules in the NJCAA. Before becoming the program's Head Coach, he spent 14 seasons as its Defensive Coordinator. Throughout those 14 seasons commanding GMC's Defenses, 13 Bulldogs went on to play in the NFL.
The GMC Bulldog Defense under his direction garnered national success. In 14 seasons, Manchester's defense has consistently been ranked as one of the best in the country in rushing, scoring, and total defense, while creating an average of nearly 25 turnovers a season. The 2019 season, Manchester's last before COVID in 2020, was no different for the Bulldog Defense. They finished the season ranked in the top 10 in every statistical category and even posted four shutouts. During his tenure as Defensive Coordinator, his defenses finished in the top 20 nine times in rush defense, the top 15 seven times in total defense, and allowed a mere 17 points per game while posting 21 shutouts. Manchester's defenses created 348 total turnovers (193 interceptions and 155 fumbles), and 15 individuals earned All-American honors. The Bulldogs participated in five post-season bowl games: The 2007 Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic, the 2012 Heart of Texas Bowl, the 2008 and 2013 Mississippi Bowl, and the 2015 Graphic Edge Bowl. The 2013 team also played in the 2013 NJCAA National Championship. Manchester has coached in eight NJCAA bowl games during his tenure at GMC.
Before becoming the coordinator, the GMC secondary was instrumental in GMC's success on defense. In 2003, '04, and '06, the Bulldog defense ranked third in the nation in total defense. In 2003 and '06, the Bulldogs finished sixth and seventh in the country in pass defense and a respective eleventh in '04. In 2004, the Bulldog defense led the nation in rush defense. The Bulldogs finished the 2005 season as the nation's second-ranked NJCAA team. They were also crowned the 2005 Sea Island Company's Golden Isles Bowl Champions with a win over Coffeyville Community College.
Manchester played his collegiate football at the University of Kentucky. He was a four-year letterman from 1992 to 1995. He was named UK's Most Valuable Defensive Walk-on in 1994, played on the school's 1993 Peach Bowl team, and was awarded a scholarship before his senior season. He was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll for three straight years before graduating with a degree in secondary education.
Manchester launched his coaching career under Tommy Bowden at Tulane University. The Green Wave posted a perfect 12-0 record in 1998, including a Conference USA Championship, a win over Brigham Young in the Liberty Bowl, and a final ranking of No. 7 nationally. That effort followed the squad's first winning season in 15 years, a 7-4 mark in 1997. Manchester helped coach the Tulane secondary as a Graduate Assistant, instrumental in leading the nation (NCAA) with 26 interceptions in 1997. In '98, the Green Wave secondary added 15 more interceptions.
Manchester returned home as a graduate assistant following his stint at Tulane, where he assisted the Kentucky defensive linemen in 1999, linebackers in 2000, and cornerbacks in 2001. He was the camp director for two seasons and assisted with the junior varsity squad, serving as defensive coordinator and head coach for one season. Manchester was a staff member who helped guide the Wildcats to the 1999 HomePoint.com Music City Bowl. In addition, he earned his Master of Science degree in sports administration from Kentucky in 2002.
Before landing in Milledgeville, Manchester spent the 2002 season at Louisiana Tech University as a defensive graduate assistant.
Manchester is from Paducah, (Ky.) where he attended Paducah Tilghman High School. He is married to the former Michelle Bell of Milledgeville, GA. Rob and Michelle have two daughters, Emmie (16) and Ellary (12), who attend GMC Prep. Manchester is also a proud Eagle Scout.
