STEUBENVILLE – A Jefferson County native is a major player in the success the Michigan State football program is experiencing.

Ken Mannie is the Spartans’ head strength and conditioning coach. The 1970 Steubenville Catholic grad has been with Michigan State for the past 21 years. He is the brother-in-law of Steubenville Big Red football coaching legend Reno Saccoccia.

The former Crusader was a two-year starter at the University of Akron before cutting his coaching teeth at Steubenville Catholic.

With the current success the smash-mouth Spartans are enjoying in football, it is easy to see Mannie is excellent in his duties. He was inducted into the USA Strength/Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame, Collegiate Division, in 2014.

Mannie spent nine years at the University of Toledo in a similar capacity prior to heading to East Lansing. He and current Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio both served as graduate assistants at Ohio State in 1984. Mannie was also as a student assistant at Akron in 1974, working with the offensive line.

Dantonio – a Zanesville High product – has elevated the Michigan State grid program to elite status. He has led the Green & White to three Big Ten titles during his nine years at the Spartans’ helm, highlighted by this year’s entry into the college playoffs.

Mannie has been there every step of the way.

“Mark and I became good friends at Ohio State in 1984 and have been friends ever since. We have a lot in common,” Mannie said. “I am in a great situation. I am working for one of my best friends.

“We are both big on faith, family and how we see things,” he added. “We are both from the same area and we are cut from the same cloth.”

Mannie is hands-on with the Spartans’ football program, but is in charge of all the Spartan sports.

“In my position I oversee all the sports. I administrate and mandate their protocols,” he added. “I have staff members and assignments for each sport. My primary sport is football, along with four full-time assistants.”

While some see the work of a strength and conditioning coach as high profile and glamorous, it means long and vocal days for Mannie.

“We work around our players’ class schedules. We truly embrace that academics come first. That is not lip service. We start at 6 a.m. and work in 90-minute shifts with groups of five or so,” Mannie said. “We do that with football players until 1 p.m. After that, other sports come in like basketball, ice hockey and track & field.

“Our daily routine usually goes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. We have a full slate. We do a lot of floor coaching,” he continued. “A down day would be 10 hours.”

While Mannie said he is not Dantonio’s right-hand man, he did indicate the two are “very close.”

“We talk almost daily. We make all the trips, including the Alabama game,” Mannie said. “Mark has a full plate, especially right now with recruiting. We serve as his presence with the players on a daily basis.

“The attitude and mentality of our football team come from Mark and his staff. He preaches toughness,” he added. “Our training staff helps to facilitate that. The pillars are in place, thanks to Mark.”

Although the Spartans’ season ended on New Year’s Eve in the Cotton Bowl, work is already ramping up with Mannie, his staff and the football program.

“We got back to football work last Thursday. We did a lot of pre-testing for our summer program,” Mannie offered. “We do a lot of strength and speed work in the winter. We run it like a combine. We have about 100 football players right now.”

Mannie’s longevity at Michigan State is a testament to his ability. Head football coaches usually select their strength and conditioning coach.

Mannie’s highly regarded teaching skills have enabled him to work under four head grid coaches at Michigan State. In addition to Dantonio, he has trained players for Nick Saban, Bobby Williams and John L. Smith. He also is good friends with Spartan hoop boss Tom Izzo and trains some of his players.

“We are blessed with a great administration here at Michigan State. I have a great relationship with the president and athletic director,” Mannie said. “We have everyone working in the same direction.”

He is married to the former Marianne Saccoccia. They have one daughter, Alaina Burghardt, a 2010 Michigan State grad. He said he makes it back to the Ohio Valley about three times a year.

TENNIS ANYONE?

DON’T LOOK now but professional tennis launches its major tournament schedule this week, down under, with the Australian Open.

Serena Williams is the No. 1 women’s seed and sister Venus is No. 8. It is hard to pick against Serena after her magnificent performance last year – winning the first three majors.

Novak Djokovic is the men’s top seed and will be trying to win his fifth Australian Open title in six years and his sixth overall. Andy Murray is second seed and Roger Federer is third seed.

My pick is fifth-seeded Rafael Nadel. When his knees are healthy, he is tough to beat.

BUBBA’S BITS

I WILL be making my first trip to Quickens Loan Arena in Cleveland Monday as part of the St. John Central delegation. The Fighting Irish boys’ hoopsters take on Harvest Prep that afternoon. The SJC delegation will then be guests at the Cavaliers-Warriors NBA game that night.

THE SKI slopes at Oglebay Park are open and in good condition. Hours of operation are: Fridays, 4-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; holidays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Ohio County school closings noon to 9 p.m.

I PAID my first visit in several years to the John Marshall Fieldhouse Wednesday night for the JM-Wheeling Park girls’ hoop game. The facility, which underwent renovation a few years back, is simply gorgeous. It is bright with ample seating as well as VIP seats. The players are treated to top-shelf locker rooms. Moreover, the Monarchs’ administration is in great hands with Principal Rick Jones and athletic director Casey Storm serving as gracious and accommodating hosts at the venue.

WHEN YOU think wrestling in the Ohio Valley, Dr. Vince Monseau is one of the first people that pops in your mind. The mat hall-of-famer and current Magnolia High mentor reached another milestone recently by winning his 400th career dual mat decision. We send him our kudos for another remarkable achievement in a wrestling career second to none.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com