By Fred Robledo
Just a few days after John Martin announced his resignation as the Diamond Bar High School football coach, the Brahmas found a former champion to lead them. Former quarterback Ryan Maine, who was part of the Brahmas’ back-to-back CIF-Southern Section Divisional championship teams in 1998 and ’99, has been named the head football coach after serving as Martin’s offensive coordinator since 2008. (To continue, click thread).
Maine played for legendary Brahmas coach Terry Roche and during his four years on varsity helped compile an overall record of 48-3.
Maine was a sophomore back-up to quarterback Don Sizemore during the 1998 title run and when Sizemore suffered an injury the following season, Maine led the Brahmas to their second consecutive title in 2009.
Sadly, Sizemore’s injury cost him a scholarship to Nebraska. He later played at Mt. SAC, but was never the same.
“Those were some great years here,” Maine said. “It’s funny, I have my ten year reunion coming up and if you told me I was going to be the coach, I wouldn’t of believed it. But I’m glad I’m back, being here is a dream job and I will try to instill the same things coach Roche taught us.”
Maine graduated from Diamond Bar in 2001 and earned a scholarship to Sacramento State and later played at the University of San Diego under former coach Jim Harbaugh, now with Stanford.
Maine began as an assistant with Diamond Bar in 2007 and feels he knows what it takes to get the Brahmas back to a winning level.
“It’s an attitude,” Maine said. “You don’t just win championships, it starts with hard work in January. That’s what kids don’t understand today. They love to talk, but the don’t understand the work it takes to back it up.”
Athletic director Kurt Davies was thrilled to promote Maine.
“We could not have found a better coach and role model for our student-athletes to be led by,” Davies said. “Ryan is the perfect coach for the Brahmas. He not only understands our past, but also was an integral part of it. The future is definitely bright for Diamond Bar Football.”
Martin resigned on Wednesday after four years and a 14-26 overall record. Martin will remain a teacher at the school.
“I appreciate John’s dedication and commitment to our program and look forward to his service to our school and community in other arenas for many years to come,” Brahmas principal Catherine Real wrote in a press release.
