Henington begins new career at Cleveland High

One month after losing his position as head football coach at Los Lunas High School, Greg Henington is adjusting to his new role as teacher and assistant coach at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho.

Just a few weeks into the semester, Henington is getting immersed in the football culture of the Storm, winners of five of the past six 5A state championships.

“It’s run like a college,” Henington said of the Cleveland football program. “There’s a lot of opportunity to learn here.”

For now, Henington’s role on the CHS coaching staff of Robert Garza isn’t specific, only that he will help with the offense.

Henington is a special education, language arts teacher at Cleveland after spending several years as a physical education instructor at LLHS.

Henington said he is working to be “the best coach and teacher I can be.”

After five years at Los Lunas, with a 43-16 record and a state title, officials from Los Lunas Schools told Henington Dec. 15 of their decision to make a coaching change. A public statement read, in part, that they were “moving in a different direction regarding the leadership of the Los Lunas High School Tigers football program.”

“It’s been tough,” Henington admits. “I’m going to miss those (LLHS) kids. I thought we had a great connection.”

Still, Henington appreciates his new situation at CHS.

“I’m excited to learn and grow a little bit more,” he said. “I’m getting better. I’m feeling better about things.”

According to Bill Hays, LLS director of athletics, “The position is still posted/being advertised and interviews have not been scheduled yet. We will be interviewing for the position soon.”