Quinton Pressley is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com.

Ara Parseghian once said, "A good coach will make his players see what they can be, rather than what they are."

Ryan Dyer, head coach for Desert Mountain’s varsity baseball team, is one of the best coaches in the AIA. He is a three-time state champion in Arizona, and has multiple 20-plus win seasons under his belt. However, his consistent success is not the only reason why he is known as such a great leader.

Dyer is one of those coaches who leaves programs brighter than when he found them. Whether that be because of the new hardware on his shelf or the impact on people’s hearts, his legacy is everlasting. 

“When you establish a program of success, it’s one of the greatest accomplishments you can have, when you have players come back that have reached high levels of success, not only as athletes, but as staples in the community,” said Dyer.

Before finding a home in Desert Mountain, Dyer coached all over the ‘Grand Canyon state’ “searching for his next meaning” in his coaching career. After earning back to back trophies in the 4A Conference with Saguaro High, he found himself in a less than ideal situation in Coronado, or so he thought. 

Dyer was hired to revive the Coronado baseball program, after their two seasons with less than two wins combined, but the community of Coronado ended up reviving him. 

“During that time it sparked the competitive spirit back in me,” said Dyer.

The positivity radiating from both his players and their community has stayed with him, even to this day. Although his time spent was short and statistically lackluster, he more than tripled the number of wins in his two-year tenure. He carried that momentum with him as he reached his next challenge, Desert Mountain. 

The varsity baseball support is strong in Scottsdale, and it is described as one of the biggest baseball communities in the Valley. So, Dyer was the perfect fit.

This season’s roster is composed of a very talented senior class, who credit their success to the leader of the wolfpack, himself. 

“He’s able to see a different picture of my game, he’s able to pull out things I didn’t know or were on the blindside to me,” said senior pitcher Quinn Robertson. 

As well as being an inspiration, Dyer does a great job of helping promising athletes get to the next level. San Diego State University commit, Kyle Pettigrew praises Dyer for helping him along this process.

“Coach Dyer’s helped a lot with the recruiting process, he’s had a few connections for me and has helped with phone calls…he’s a player’s coach,” said Pettigrew. 

The Wolfpack are not letting their previous “gut punch” of a season get to them, as they are now hungrier than ever before. With Dyer at the helm, they are ready to make some noise.

“Compete, that’s our word for the year,” said Dyer.