Brian Ainsworth Resigns, Moves on to Cleveland High

Brian Ainsworth, head volleyball coach at Pojoaque High, has submitted his letter of resignation to accept the head volleyball coach position with Cleveland High in Rio Rancho.

In his nine years of coaching at Pojoaque High, Ainsworth coached a State Championship baseball team and his volleyball teams have won three consecutive State Titles, winning the State Championship four times in the last six years.

“It’s the toughest decision I’ve ever made,” Ainsworth said in a Monday night telephone interview. “I thought about this night and day for the past two months. The move isn’t about volleyball because we have the best volleyball program in the state at Pojoaque. The decision boiled down to what’s best for my family.”

Ainsworth said his daughter Briana, a freshman all-state volleyball player, wants to be a journalist and Pojoaque High offered just a couple journalism classes, while Cleveland has a comprehensive journalism curriculum.

Another reason he’s leaving Pojoaque is because Cleveland has a middle school baseball program. “My son Justin is an awesome baseball player and I want to give him every opportunity to succeed.”

Although he and his family are moving to Rio Rancho, he said he’ll commute daily to Espanola, home office for his business Plan B Networks, Inc.

“The valley is a place with awesome kids,” he said. “I have so many friends here. It’s a special place. It will be good to maintain that connection through my business.”

Asked about the stress involved in making a major move, Ainsworth said, “I was an Air Force brat. We moved about every three years. I loved it. Every place we moved to I had to prove myself. I had to prove I was good enough to make the baseball team or football team. I had to fight.

“It helped me because it made me who I am. I compete to be the best. And this is what this move will do for my children.  It will give my kids the opportunity to fight for something better. Justin might not make the baseball team. Briana might not fit into the volleyball team. But they’ll learn to fight for what they want.”

Brian Ainsworth’s resignation leaves a huge hole in the Pojoaque High volleyball system. He said the pieces are in place for another state championship next year. To that end, he will continue to coach the Northern Elite Volleyball team, a team of 100 kids, including members of next year’s Elkettes’ volleyball team.

“I’ve got special kids and I want to make sure I give them every opportunity to play at the next level,” he said. “They’ll be girls on next year’s Elkettes’ team that can move on to the next level.”

And it’s on to the next level for Ainsworth. Cleveland High is a 5A school. For the past two seasons, their volleyball team advanced to the State Championship game only to lose in five sets.

With Ainsworth at the helm, look for that to change.  Cleveland High has a couple returning players who have already signed to play Division 1 volleyball. Briana Ainsworth gives them one of the best setters in New Mexico. 

Cleveland High to win the State 5A Volleyball Championship in 2012 would be a good bet.

Good luck coach, you brought class, dignity and success to Pojoaque Valley.  Your presence will be missed.