St. Mary’s Ryken has appointed Brandon Kaelin as head coach of its boys soccer program, school officials announced. Kaelin, who served as junior varsity head coach at the Leonardtown school, steps into the role after working under former head coach LaMar Broadhead.
Kaelin brings US Soccer coaching certifications, including a recently earned D License, to the St. Mary’s Ryken boys soccer team. He aims to foster stability, respect and accountability while building on the program’s foundation.
“My immediate goals are to create stability through leadership and respect, and accountability through core values and team goals,” Coach Kaelin said.
His philosophy emphasizes mentorship and applying lessons from experience. “My leadership experience combined with hard work and dedication will set the tone for success,” Coach Kaelin shared. “What makes each coach unique is how they apply lessons learned from mentors and experience to develop their own style.”
Familiar with the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, where St. Mary’s Ryken boys soccer competes, Kaelin noted the league’s competitive nature. “The WCAC is full of top-tier programs. We will avoid complacency and push ourselves to meet high standards,” he said. “This begins at practice—with daily preparation and a shared commitment to excellence.”
For his first season, Kaelin targets advancing to at least the second round of WCAC playoffs. He also prioritizes recruiting and retaining student-athletes of high character. “I want to build a program rooted in integrity and mutual respect—one that local players are proud to be part of,” he said. “This program will support student-athletes on and off the pitch.”
St. Mary’s Ryken Athletic Director Jon Lombardo expressed confidence in the hire. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Kaelin as our Head Boys Soccer Coach. Brandon has done an excellent job leading the program this off-season as the interim head coach. Through the interview process, Coach Kaelin displayed the ability to create a transformational experience through establishing a championship culture. He has served as our head JV Boys Coach and has built great relationships with the SMR community through his mission-first, team-first approach. We are excited to continue supporting Coach Kaelin and the Boys Soccer program through our mission and Xaverian Values. I have full confidence that Brandon will lead our program to positive growth on the field and lifelong impact off the field.”
“It’s an honor and a privilege to lead this program,” Coach Kaelin said. “I see great potential in this team, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Kaelin succeeds Broadhead, who was named head coach in July 2023 to continue the St. Mary’s Ryken boys soccer legacy with a focus on community engagement and WCAC competitiveness. Broadhead followed John Raley, who led the program for seven seasons and earned WCAC Coach of the Year honors in 2021 after guiding the team to a fifth-place regular-season finish.
The St. Mary’s Ryken boys soccer team posted a 10-6-3 overall record in the most recent season documented, placing 5-4-1 in WCAC play and ranking 22nd in Maryland. In 2022-23, the team finished 4-8-3 overall and 3-6-1 in conference. The program has produced All-Met honorable mentions, such as in 2023 when a St. Mary’s Ryken player was recognized by The Washington Post alongside athletes from public schools in Charles County.
WCAC boys soccer features strong competition among Catholic schools in the D.C. area. In 2024, Gonzaga claimed the championship with a 1-0 win over DeMatha, capping an undefeated conference run. Quarterfinals that year saw DeMatha defeat Good Counsel 3-2 and Bishop McNamara top The Heights 1-0. St. Mary’s Ryken has navigated playoffs, including a 2021 quarterfinal matchup against DeMatha.
In Southern Maryland, high school soccer thrives across conferences. Public schools compete in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference, where teams like Southern High recently won 1-0 over North County. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association oversees state championships, with brackets and standings tracking regional play. Private institutions like St. Mary’s Ryken add to the area’s talent pool, with alumni advancing to college, as seen in 2021 signings.
St. Mary’s Ryken, a Catholic coeducational school sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers, offers 26 varsity sports in the WCAC. The boys soccer program emphasizes leadership and integrity, aligning with school values. Kaelin’s two years with St. Mary’s Ryken boys soccer position him to guide returning players.
The school encourages community involvement in St. Mary’s Ryken boys soccer. For the upcoming schedule, visit the athletics page. Interested parties can contact Lombardo at jonathan.lombardo@smrhs.org.
This appointment reflects ongoing changes in St. Mary’s Ryken athletics, including recent hires in other sports like girls soccer in 2024. As fall approaches, Kaelin’s leadership aims to elevate St. Mary’s Ryken boys soccer amid regional competition.
