SOLEDAD — On March 11, Soledad High baseball Head Coach Damien Ryan coached his varsity team to a 7-5 win over the visiting Salinas High Cowboys in the Gabilan Division opener for both teams.
The victory was the third of the season for the Aztecs and marks the 300th win for Ryan as a head coach at Soledad.
“I never got into coaching for that,” said Ryan, an English teacher at Soledad High. “I just wanted to be the coach I never had. I needed knowledge and structure, most kids do.”
Ryan has led the Aztecs to Mission Trail Athletic League co-championships in the 2009-10 and 2014-15 seasons; the MTAL title in 2017-18; and the Pacific Coast Athletic League championship in 2023-24.
Under Ryan, the Aztecs have made multiple Central Coast Section playoff appearances and have advanced to the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals games.
“Coach Ryan’s 300th win is a reflection of his work ethic, working with him brings more than the game of baseball to our program,” said Robert Ramirez, assistant coach. “The players that participate get life lessons that they take with them forever. Coach Ryan is not just someone I’ve enjoyed to coach with, he is my brother.”
According to Soledad High Athletic Director Nick Twitchell, he admires Ryan’s commitment to the baseball program and the Soledad community.
“Coach Ryan has been a mainstay in Soledad athletics for many years,” Twitchell said. “His commitment to his program and the student-athletes of Soledad has elevated our community. The success for our baseball program is a testament to his commitment and consistency.”
