It didn’t take long for Vicksburg High to find a new soccer coach.

David Case, who has led a number of teams in the Vicksburg Soccer Organization over the last 20 years, was hired Monday to replace Kevin Manton as Vicksburg High’s girls’ coach.

Manton resigned abruptly on Friday after 21 years at the school and 13-plus seasons as the Missy Gators coach.

“I was honored to be asked,” Case said. “They needed somebody to step in, and I was happy to do it for them.”

The search to find Manton’s replacement was brief. Case is a well-known figure in local soccer circles and his wife, Lynn, works for the Vicksburg Warren School District as a student assessment coordinator. Case’s name was passed along to athletic director Lum Wright as a potential candidate, and he was hired just three days — and two games — after Manton resigned.

“He’s coached soccer for about 20 years, and he has a good knowledge of the game,” Wright said. “He’s also coached a couple of the kids and (boys coach Jason) Bennett recommended him.”

Bennett, along with softball coach Michelle Fisackerley, coached the girls’ team in two games at the Mid-Mississippi Classic tournament on Friday and Saturday. Wright also credited VHS assistant principal Randy Broome with putting together a list of candidates on short notice.

Now it’s Case who will have to perform on the same short notice. He’ll make his debut on Thursday at Memorial Stadium against division rival Clinton. The game, originally scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed by rain. The delay will give Case one practice with his new team, and his familiarity with some players who were with him in the VSO will help with the transition.

Even so, he said, replacing such a tenured coach in the middle of the season will not be easy.

“It’s very difficult. Coach Manton had a good program and they’re big shoes to fill. My hope is to inspire and enourage them. Sometimes bumps in the road come and we get stronger from them,” Case said. “I’ve seen these girls play and I know several of them. My big thing is to take what I have and work with it. I don’t know if I’ll put my stamp on it. I don’t know if I have that type of time.”

While one of Manton’s jobs has been filled, Wright said the search to find his replacement with the tennis program is just beginning. Manton had coached VHS’ tennis team since 2004.

“We have to get started on that. The timeline for that is the first of January, early February,” Wright said.

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Contact Ernest Bowker at ebowker@vicksburgpost.com