Ryan Realini is in his 13th year as Valley Christian High School's Athletic Director. He leads one of the most successful athletic departments in California, and his work at Valley Christian goes back more than two decades. Since arriving on campus in 2003, Realini has been a championship coach, an award-winning teacher and a builder of the culture that defines Warriors athletics.
Realini joined Valley Christian in 2003 as a varsity baseball assistant coach and substitute teacher. He spent 14 seasons (2003–2016) on head coach John Diatte's staff. During that time he helped the Warriors win back-to-back West Catholic Athletic League championships in 2007 and 2008 and three CCS Division I championships in 2007, 2008 and 2012.
In the classroom, Realini taught at Valley Christian Junior High from 2004 to 2011. He was named Teacher of the Year for 2009–10. He moved into athletic administration as the High School Assistant Athletic Director from 2011 to 2014, then was named Athletic Director in 2014. He oversees the high school's athletic programs, coaches and student-athletes, and works to make the Warriors' competitive success match the school's mission of developing young men and women of Christ.
Realini is also one of the leading voices in high school athletics in the Central Coast Section. He is the Chairman of the CCS Athletic Directors Advisory Committee (ADAC) and the CCS Baseball Chair. He also serves on the CCS Executive Committee and the CCS Board of Managers, where he helps shape policy and postseason competition for the section's member schools.
"I love to see how much our teachers, coaches and staff love and care for their students," Realini says. "They know them by more than name and genuinely take an interest in helping to grow them into young men and women of Christ to go and impact the world."
Before coming to Valley Christian, Realini was a standout baseball player. At Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, he was a four-year first-team all-league selection and graduated in 1998. He went on to West Valley College, where he earned first-team All-American honors in 2000. He then left for UC Santa Barbara to play baseball before shoulder injuries ended his career. He started coaching at UCSB as a student assistant in 2002 and was an assistant at West Valley College in the spring of 2003.
Realini earned his bachelor's degree in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara in 2003. He added a master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2012.
Valley Christian is truly a family affair for the Realinis. Ryan and his wife, Robin, live in Morgan Hill with their three children, all current Valley Christian Schools students. Ty (VCHS Class of 2029) plays football and baseball for the Warriors, Christian is in the Class of 2032, and Catherine is in the Class of 2035. Ryan's younger brother, Dustin Realini, is a 2002 VCHS graduate. Robin's family has deep Warrior roots as well: Kelly Baranowski (née Warnock) '04, Matthew Warnock '08, Jenna Warnock (née Davis) '10 and Andrew Warnock '14. The family attends West Hills Community Church in Morgan Hill.
Realini's life verse is John 8:32: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." "I love this verse because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life," he says. "Once you know Jesus, you are free from the bondage of sin and will have everlasting life."
Fun fact: In high school, Realini appeared in a Popeyes Chicken commercial. He was paid in Popeyes gift certificates, even though the nearest Popeyes was more than two hours away at the time.
