By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor There seemed to be a collective bittersweet type of feeling among the coaches on campus at Maranatha High School. They learned their athletics director, Brian DeHaan, is leaving Maranatha for Providence Christian College in Pasadena. While they all are incredibly grateful for a decade’s worth of mentorship, guidance, integrity and […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
There seemed to be a collective bittersweet type of feeling among the coaches on campus at Maranatha High School.
They learned their athletics director, Brian DeHaan, is leaving Maranatha for Providence Christian College in Pasadena.
While they all are incredibly grateful for a decade’s worth of mentorship, guidance, integrity and a changing of the culture on and off the field, the coaches are going to miss a man they all consider a brother.
After 11 years at Maranatha, and 10 as their athletics director, DeHaan announced he is moving on to take a new challenge in building the athletics program at Providence Christian.
DeHaan started at Maranatha when he was just 29 years old and several CIF titles and three children later, it was the right time for the move.
“It was a great opportunity,” DeHaan said. “The team (at Maranatha) was assembled., and it was a great time to step away and allow someone else to carry the torch. It’s very exciting to think about the opportunities at the collegiate level.”
DeHaan started as a math teacher in his first year and led the baseball program to a CIF championship in his third year at the helm.
The title was especially satisfying, because the season before, the Minutemen lost in the championship game in extra innings.
He handed that program over to current coach Matt Shupper, and Shupper has continued to build on the success DeHaan began.
DeHaan spent the last few seasons leading the Maranatha softball program.
With as much success and respect as he’s garnered, DeHaan said he could have never even attempted all of that without the love, support and sacrifices of his wife, Libby.
Libby has not only supported her husband, she’s also done an amazing job of raising their three young sons, Casey, Reece and Lincoln.
Of all the CIF titles in multiple sports, the many league championships, DeHaan is most proud of the type of kids that represent a school that he loves.
He hopes to recruit Maranatha athletes to play collegiate ball at Providence Christian, and will always, in one way or another, do anything he can to help foster success at Maranatha, if called upon.
But before leaving campus, DeHaan wanted to make sure his teachers, coaches, athletes, administrators and everyone that works at Maranatha to know how he feels.
“I’d say thank you for allowing me to grow at Maranatha. I took over when I was 29 years old, and I had people who invested in me. It’s been a blast and I’ve really enjoyed growing the programs. I hope everyone feels I left it better than when I took over. I hope they know I love them and appreciate them,” he said.
And just how popular is DeHaan?
Each coach we sent a text message to, wanted to go on the record as to what he’s meant to them and the school.
Quotable:
Maranatha assistant athletic director Eddie Arnett: “We spent the last 11 years working side by side. He is one of my best friends, and is like a brother. I’m super proud of him and happy for him. If I could accomplish half the stuff he has, I’d be proud. Brian really changed the culture in that our athletes believe we can compete with anyone now. We’re all going to miss him, but he’ll be close by, and we’re all happy that he’s got big things ahead of him.”
Maranatha football coach Steve Bogan: “Brian is a great leader, pure and simple. He is also a unique leader. He is competitive without the win no matter what attitude. He is one of those people that just “gets it”. He is organized, thorough, and very good at seeing things from multiple angles. But more than anything he is someone you can trust. He is a true man of God, and I will miss working for and with him. Providence Christian is very blessed to get Brian DeHaan.”
Maranatha basketball coach Tim Tucker: “A huge loss for Maranatha. A true leader and friend. The support that he gave me allowed me to put Maranatha High on the map as an elite basketball program.”
Maranatha baseball coach Matt Shupper: “Brian has been a mentor, a friend, a brother and my athletics director. I have learned great lessons in coaching from him, but more importantly he has showed tremendous faith in me as a coach. I am forever grateful to Brian for giving me this opportunity and will miss him greatly. I am excited for the next chapter in Brian’s professional career and I am confident he will be successful in leading the Providence athletics program.”
Maranatha tennis coach Arthur Hsieh: “Brian hired me as the head coach of boys and girls tennis and has guided me through all the growing pains. He has been a great, allowing me to focus on coaching and facilitating the opportunity to succeed . He is our athletics leader and will be sorely missed. He was our shepherd.”
Maranatha volleyball coach Eli Cuenca: “I am grateful to have had DeHaan as my AD at MHS. He provided leading mentorship and a quality support that is often lacking in athletics. He will certainly positively affect change at the next level. Providence Christian has hired a winner. Congratulations to B.”
