Ryan Brooks had been in the Marlboro football program for about 10 years before taking a few years off to watch his son play.
Now, he’s back on the Iron Dukes’ sideline after the Marlboro Central School District Board of Education on May 20 appointed him as the program’s new head varsity football coach, beginning this fall.
“The district has always been very supportive of their coaches,” Brooks said. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity and give it my best shot, and just to keep the winning tradition alive.”
Brooks will take over for Brian Beck, who resigned as head coach after three seasons, and a 48-0 loss to Port Jervis in the Section 9 Class B championship game on April 17. The Iron Dukes went 20-7 during Beck’s three seasons, winning the Section 9 Class B championship in his first season. They finished runner-up to Port Jervis in 2019 and during the spring 2021 COVID-altered season.

Beck resigned to spend more time with his family.
Eric Baulsir remains as head JV coach, and Thomas Corcoran remains as an assistant. Curt Pross and Alan Affuso have joined Brooks’ staff as assistant coaches. Frank Taddeo was reappointed head modified coach and returns with Charles Busick. Richard Cavazza joined the modified staff, filling Pross’ former spot as a modified coach.
“I’ve coached these guys – juniors now, they’re going to be seniors – back in modified for a few years,” Brooks said. “I’ve always enjoyed coaching football, and when the opportunity presented itself this year, I just wanted to take the position and coach them again, and keep the Marlboro winning tradition alive.”
That tradition has been alive at Marlboro for most of the last decade as the Iron Dukes have won seven Section 9 Class B titles since 2011, including four straight from 2011-15. They won it again in 2017 and 2018 before running into Port Jervis.
“I think it’s a great thing for the program,” Brooks said. “It gives the kids something to aspire to and it gives them a sense of pride. But the most important thing is, whether we win or lose, we make sure we’re doing it the right way, having a great experience for them to mature and become good, young men and adults.”
Like every other fall team and every one of their counterparts on the gridiron, the Iron Dukes face a short offseason. The season concluded on April 17, and they’re expected to be on the field to begin preseason for the fall in the middle of August.
“I think it’s a challenge for every coach in the area,” Brooks said. “I think the short season and the fact that it was just not at the normal time, you didn’t get your normal offseason work in. but everyone’s in the same position.”
Brooks also had an opportunity to have a short meeting with next year’s seniors as they’re going to be the team’s core in the fall. He said the team has more seniors than all the other classes combined, and Brooks expects them to be leaders for the younger players.
After two years, the Iron Dukes are itching to get another Section title, and Brooks is ready to hit the sidelines.
“I have a good idea of what players I have coming back, what kind of players they are and everything else,” Brooks said. “We’re putting together a game plan, which I think is going to be suited for our players their skill sets. And then it’s just a matter of making sure we’re doing our jobs as coaches to teach them the terminology and techniques and putting them through the drills to get them better.”