By: Adam Hawthorne, Staff Writer
After years of leading the program and building a winning culture, Coach Brian Van Deusen has officially stepped down as River Hill’s varsity football head coach after 26 seasons. His retirement marks the end of an era for the team and the school community. He leaves behind one of the most successful legacies in Maryland high school football.
During his time as head coach, Van Deusen built a program defined by consistency, discipline, and success. He finishes his career with an impressive 76% winning percentage, totaling a career record of 227-71. He also ranks 12th all-time in wins among Maryland public school coaches and third among active coaches in Maryland. Most notably, he led his team to four state championships, setting a standard that future teams will be measured against. His ability to develop players and maintain a competitive program year after year made him one of the most respected coaches in the state.
The consistency of the program under Coach Van Deusen was historic; between 2001 and 2023, the Hawks never had a losing season. The program’s “golden era” took place from 2004 to 2013, a decade where the team went 120-12 and won all four of the school’s state championships. During that span, the 2008 team finished ranked No. 23 in the country and featured future NFL players Michael Campanaro and Kevin Johnson. Even in his final years, the winning tradition continued with a state semifinal run in 2022 and a resilient 2025 season where the team rallied from a 0-3 start to win seven straight games.
Beyond the wins and championships, Coach Van Deusen was known for the impact he had on his players. He emphasized hard work, accountability, and teamwork, values that extended far beyond the football field. Many players credit him not just for their athletic development, but for helping shape them into better people.
“Coach Van is the definition of a teacher who has pushed his players and students to be better young men on and off the field,” says Junior running back of the Hawks football team, Logan Schatzer.
“Coach Van really loved the game of football and he would put most of his free time into it to make us better as a team,” said senior linemen Ashton Barker.
His influence was also felt throughout the coaching staff. Assistant coaches who worked alongside him saw firsthand the effort and dedication he brought every day.
“As long as I’ve known Coach Van, he’s been the hardest working coach I’ve met,” noted varsity assistant coach Breaon Hebron. “He spends endless hours preparing not only the game plan but the team for games. Those who’ve coached with him understand it and have seen it firsthand; it has driven us to take that preparation and implement it into our own coaching.”
Even as he steps away, his impact on the program will remain. The culture he built, focused on effort, discipline, and pride, will continue to shape the team moving forward. Future players will still feel the effects of the foundation he created.
As the program looks ahead to a new chapter, it does so standing on the foundation that Coach Van has built.