Riverside Brookfield promotes Sam Styler to be new head coach

Riverside Brookfield sophomore quarterback Diego Gutierrez doesn’t need an introduction to his new varsity football coach.

After Brendan Curtin stepped down from the head coaching job in early November, assistant coach Sam Styler was recently promoted to be the new Riverside Brookfield football coach.

“I’ve known Coach Styler since my freshman year,” Gutierrez said. “Being around him, it’s obvious to tell that he’s a great coach and knows a lot about the game of football. I’m excited about this season and where we will go.

“Coach Styler is one of those coaches that when you’re going to that battlefield, you know he will put the team in the best position to win. Coach brings an amazing level of leadership to our team, and we know we can count on him whenever something goes bad, even if it’s outside of football.”

Junior linebacker/running back Ryan Novak said Styler’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the program and sport is a big plus.

“He’s a great coach with a ton of energy,” Novak said. “He’s been coaching me since I was a freshman. Everyone is drawn to Coach Styler because of all his energy and his personality. I think he was the perfect selection for head coach of our program and I’m ready to see the things we will do.”

Styler, a former lacrosse coach at R-B, said he’s excited to jump from an assistant role to the head coaching position. Styler coached the freshman and sophomore teams and assisted the varsity in the past few seasons.

“Six years ago, I came to the R-B football program and worked my way through the system,” Styler said. “I was fortunate enough to grow up in Westchester before moving to Libertyville. I know the community well, the staff and students.

“We have a great tradition here, so I’m looking forward to put my own take on the program. Riverside Brookfield has a rich history of various offensive and defensive schemes. I’m hoping to play fast be aggressive and put team first. We have a special group of players coming in, and I’m looking forward to seeing them progress.”

Curtin said Styler is the ideal coach to lead the program to the next step. Curtin, who will remain at R-B’s athletic director, compiled a 48-46 record in 10 seasons, highlighted by six playoff appearances, including a 5-5 record in 2021. Curtin guided the Bulldogs to a 10-2 record in 2015, the program’s first double-digit winning record since 2001 under legendary coach Otto Zeman.

“Sam has dedicated his time and energy to Riverside Brookfield football for quite a while now,” Curtin said. “In coach speak, he checks all of the boxes. He possesses a strong grasp of all three phases of the game, has been the head coach on the sophomore and freshman levels these past few years, and has assisted the varsity level on the headsets in the press box on regular season game days and in the playoffs.

“Our student-athletes respect him and genuinely like him as a coach, a teacher and a leader. He’s a good person and the right man for the job. For me personally, passing the torch to Sam is something that’s special. He gets R-B football. We’re excited for what the future of the program holds under coach Styler’s leadership.”