Brian Maner has stepped down as Thompson High School head football coach, and assistant coach Bruce Hill has been named as the interim head coach through the 2010 season.

Thomas said Hill, a former head coach at Clay-Chalkville, will coach the team through summer workouts and the 2010 season, and a decision will be made after the season whether to retain Hill or search for another head coach.

“We felt for the stability of the program, he was the best candidate at this point,” Thomas said.

Maner, who led Class 3A Cordova to a state championship prior to coming to Thompson, struggled during his five-year tenure in Alabaster, leading the Warriors to one playoff appearance and a 19-33 record.

Maner said he didn’t know where he would go next, and he declined to comment about his departure.

The Warriors, who are coming off a 1-9 season, finished spring practice May 21 with a 20-7 loss at home against Class 5A Sylacauga Aggies in a jamboree.

“We’re going to have to get more competitive,” Thomas said. “Coach Maner would outwork anybody, but at some point in time you’re going to have to look at wins and losses.”