Moorpark High Alum Christian Dearborn Named Head Coach of MHS Football Program
(Moorpark, California) Feb. 18, 2025—Moorpark Unified School District has named Christian Dearborn as the new head football coach for Moorpark High School.
A 2012 graduate of Moorpark High, Dearborn was hired following an extensive search and interview process. He succeeds Ryan Huisenga, who stepped down in January after eight seasons to spend more time with family.
"Moorpark High School football has played a significant role in my life, and I am excited to continue its legacy of excellence,” said Dearborn, a History teacher at MHS. “It is a tremendous honor to lead this program, one that I have been a part of since childhood—as a player, a coach and as a proud graduate.”
Moorpark High Principal Zaid Bakoo extended his congratulations to the new head coach.
“Our football program has established a foundational legacy as a well-respected and competitive program that is a cornerstone in the MHS community and throughout Moorpark,” Principal Bakoo said. “We welcome Christian Dearborn as our new head coach and look forward to his leadership in continuing that tradition while supporting our student-athletes on and off the field.”
Dearborn played college football at Colorado State University-Pueblo before beginning his 11-year career as a teacher and coach. He served as the secondary coach at Centennial High School in Pueblo, Colorado, before returning to California in 2016 as an assistant defensive backs coach at California Lutheran University.
In 2017, he became the head football coach at Hillcrest Christian School, leading the team to back-to-back Omega League championships and consecutive CIF-Southern Section semifinal appearances.
From 2019 to 2021, Dearborn served as head football coach at Royal High School, where he expanded fundraising efforts, introduced a revamped offseason training program and coached 10 first-team all-league honorees, including the Canyon League Back of the Year.
In 2022, Dearborn returned to Moorpark High School, taking on multiple coaching roles and teaching history.
That year, he led the freshman football team to a 10-0 record and was recognized as the Ventura County Frosh Staff of the Year. He also guided the boys’ track and field team to a Canyon League championship as head coach.
Most recently, Dearborn served as the varsity football team’s defensive coordinator. Over the past two seasons, the team posted a 17-5 record, secured a Canyon League title in 2024, and made back-to-back CIF playoff appearances.
Dearborn has strong ties to the Moorpark High community. His father, Robert Dearborn, is the school's longtime athletic director.
Dearborn holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Colorado State University-Pueblo and a master’s degree in education from Grand Canyon University. He resides in Ventura County with his wife and children.
The new head coach said he is excited about the future and his role as the program’s leader.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this job, not just in building a competitive football program, but in fostering an environment where our athletes succeed on the field, in the classroom and in the community,” Dearborn said. “Much in the same way that I benefited from the incredible support and encouragement of my coaches at MHS, I hope to do the same for our players.”