Ricardo Viera stepped into the job as athletic director at Rockford Christian in April and immediately rolled up his sleeves.

And within two months, he hired new coaches in boys basketball, football and volleyball.

Its been the same kind of year for Christian Life, which replaced about half of its varsity coaches less than a year after hiring new athletic director Rich Wood.

It has been challenging, but I think the changes are good, Wood said.

Its been an extremely busy few months for two of Rockfords smaller schools. Now, as they head into July, they are getting familiar with all the new names.

At Rockford Christian, the Royals started by hiring Viera to replace six-year athletic director Kirk Heidelberg. Days later, he was busy interviewing candidates for the head football coaching job, which was left vacant when the Royals did not renew one-year coach Glynn Jones contract after a 5-4 season.

RC chose Chad Carpenter, who played for Taylor University in Upland, Ind., has been an assistant at the University of Virginias College at Wise, Emory and Henry College, and Bristol Tennessee High School. He has experience coaching offensive and defensive lines, wide receivers and special teams.

Then Viera focused on a replacement for boys basketball coach Shane Bautch, who announced his resignation in May after three years. He chose Trent Emenecker.

Emenecker has been an educator for 17 years and coach for 11. His longest stint was with Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Ariz., where he racked up a 160-102 record. Locally, he served as Christian Lifes girls coach from 2008-09 and the Eagles boys coach in 2009-10.

RC also hired Tom Lynde as the new volleyball coach to complete the major hirings.

Read more:
Rockford Christian, Christian Life have coaching overhauls