Sporting Tribune Coach of the Week: Coaching Moorpark Football is a Family Practice for Christian Dearborn

Moorpark head coach Christian Dearborn was born to coach football, says his dad, Rob Dearborn, the current athletic director at Moorpark High School.  Rob has had 40 years of experience in high school athletics and currently serves on the CIF Southern Section council overseeing the track and field championships. Rob Dearborn got his start coaching at Moorpark, and now he is seeing his son lead the program to new heights.  He is looking to get Moorpark back to its glory days as a Ventura County football power. 

"Green and gold runs through his blood; he is motivated to get this program back to its glory days. I'm a little biased; it looks like he is on track to do it." 

In his first year, Christian led Moorpark to a 10-2 record before losing to eventual CIF champion Ventura, marking Moorpark's first 10-win season since 2017. 

Dearborn has Moorpark rolling once again. The Musketeers won a share of the Channel League title after upsetting Westlake 29-27 on the final play. 

The team carried over that play to its first-round game against Trabuco Hills.

"We lost our league opener against Santa Barbara. I think that's the game that woke the Lions up. We avenged our playoff loss against Ventura, and that was an emotional game. I felt like going into the postseason we were playing our best football."

 Moorpark's "Lions" roared to a 38-21 first-round win over Trabuco Hills.  It marked Dearborn's second consecutive season with a playoff win, something the Musketeers hadn't done since Dearborn was a player at the school 16 years ago. 

The Musketeers looked dominant. They jumped out to a 21-0 lead early. The beast leading the way was Junior Brody Tweedy, who ran for over 216 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. Star safety Blake Davidson had two interceptions on the defensive end. 

"That was a big win for us. This team is so close; everyone trusts each other. We don't have the biggest or fastest kids on our team, but we are the tightest. We are built to win a championship." 

After going up early, Trabuco scored two straight touchdowns at the end of the 1st half and scored on their opening drive of the third quarter to make it a three-point game. Dearborn turned to his senior receiver, Davis Benson, to make a play. The Musketeers called a screen pass on 2nd and long; the speedy Benson took it for a 60-yard score. Benson, who holds the school record for 110 hurdles, displayed his track speed. Benson's only catch was an impactful one. 

Dearborn, who also serves as the men's track coach, has a strong bond with Benson. Dearborn was the head freshman coach when Benson came into the program and doubled as a track and field coach in the offseason. Benson shares the impact Dearborne has had,

"Coach Dearborn is the testament of what Moorpark Football is all about. He has helped us grow so much as a team. He inspires us, gives us confidence. After beating Ventura and Westlake, we feel like wehave built a special bond. It's been a special two-year run, since he has been the head coach." 

Moorpark is a blue-collar, family-friendly suburban town. In an area of culture where families are focused on how they can get ahead, Moorpark families put an emphasis on community first. "Moorpark is the last town where every kid in the community knows where everyone lives." 

Moorpark football is a family business under the Dearborn. "When I first hired Christian, I knew I might get negative calls hiring my son. He interviewed with people other than me. I could see how it could look. Thankfully, I don't get any calls now- this community has rallied around him." -AD Rob Dearborne

When asked how he enjoys Moorpark being a family affair, Christian explains, 

"It just makes this experience so much special. To have the support of my wife. Having my kids around Moorpark, the support of my dad. All of Moorpark football is family. I have six alumni on staff. My brother coaches; my childhood best friend coaches the defence. Everyone is family at Moorpark. I just have a passion for the community. It translates to the kids." 

The Moorpark fam has a long road trip tonight as they travel to San Bernardino to face Aquinas. Aquinas ranks 129 in CA MaxPreps rankings compared to Moorpark's 159. The Mustakateers have already completed two big upsets this season. This team has the confidence that no one can beat them. Let's see if Moorpark's family and togetherness can lead them to a CIF  Division 5 championship.