Former Los Lunas Coach Greg Henington Joins Defending Cleveland Staff

Greg Henington, the coach who led Los Lunas to a Class 5A state title in 2021, has taken a spot on the coaching staff at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, adding a proven winner to the defending Class 6A state champion Storm. The move reunites Henington with high-level prep football in Sandoval County and shifts a prominent coaching name away from the Los Lunas program after a surprisingly abrupt dismissal in mid-December.

The hiring was announced Jan. 23. Henington, 46, compiled a 43-16 record across five seasons at Los Lunas, a run highlighted by the 2021 state championship. Cleveland head coach Robert Garza’s staff has not confirmed Henington’s precise role, but the addition gives Cleveland added depth and experience as it prepares to defend the 6A crown. Henington will also serve as a language arts teacher at Cleveland, tying his arrival to classroom staffing as well as athletics.

Henington addressed the change in trajectory directly. “To be honest, I’m not too concerned about that,” Henington said about his thoughts of perhaps being a head coach once more down the road. “I’m just happy to be part of the best staff in the state. That’s what I’m excited about.” He also acknowledged the personal toll of his departure from Los Lunas. “The whole thing with Los Lunas was pretty devastating, so I’m just looking to get back into coaching and heal a little bit,” Henington said.

Los Lunas athletic officials are actively seeking a new head coach after the mid-December dismissal. Athletic Director William Hays said he expected interviews to be scheduled in the coming weeks. The search comes as Los Lunas prepares to rejoin Class 5A next season after four years competing at the Class 6A level, a classification change that will alter scheduling, travel patterns, and competitive matchups for the Tigers.

For Rio Rancho and Sandoval County sports supporters, the move shifts local coaching dynamics. Cleveland gains a coach with a state-title resume and head-coaching experience, including a previous stint at Belen, which could translate into recruitment advantages, schematic refinement, and deeper connections in central New Mexico football circles. For Los Lunas supporters and local youth programs, the loss of Henington means a reset for coaching continuity and program identity as the Tigers adjust to 5A competition.

Beyond wins and losses, the hire has practical implications for school operations. Henington’s classroom assignment at Cleveland affects staffing balance and could influence how the district allocates teaching and coaching resources. Athletic programs often factor into local economies through ticket sales, concessions, and community engagement; a stronger Cleveland staff may sustain spectator interest and related revenue streams in Rio Rancho.

What comes next is clear: Cleveland will integrate Henington into Garza’s staff as it prepares for a title defense, while Los Lunas moves forward with an open search for a head coach and the task of steadying a program changing classifications. For readers, the most immediate effects will show up on the field next fall and in local school staffing rosters this spring.