Maumelle hires Robinson assistant Brian Maupin as head football coach

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Jimmy Jones

The search is over for Maumelle High School’s new head football coach.

It was announced Friday afternoon that Joe T. Robinson defensive coordinator/strength and conditioning coach Brian Maupin has accepted the position after spending the past eight years at his alma mater.

“I am excited, honored,” Maupin said. “It is a big deal to be able to lead a program and young men, so I take this very seriously. I am excited about the opportunity, and I feel like I can bring a fun and fast football program to Maumelle.”

Maupin is the fourth coach to lead the football team since now-defunct Oak Grove became Maumelle after the 2010-11 school year, following Mike Buchan, David Farr and current athletic director Kirk Horton, who resigned as head coach at the beginning of January.

Robinson won the class 4A state championship in December, the school’s second in three seasons, and Maupin’s defense was impressive, shutting out defending champion Shiloh Christian in the first half and winning the game handily, 42-14. From Week 6 through the championship game, Maupin’s defense allowed just 12.1 points per game.

Throughout his coaching career, Maupin has been well-known for going the extra mile. This past fall, he drove all the way to Fayetteville to be with former Senator T.J. Hammonds on Senior Day at the University of Arkansas. He then turned right back around and made it to Little Rock in time to be on the sideline when Robinson defeated Lamar in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

“My goal and mission is to help kids,” Maupin said. “I could be doing a lot of other things, but I love football, and I love helping these kids become better. There are so many opportunities for these young men, and anytime I can open a door for them, I am going to.”

Along with the state championship in 2021, Maupin helped the Senators take home a title in 2019 with head coach Todd Eskola, his long-time mentor.

“Todd and his family have meant so much to me over the years,” Maupin said. “I was given a lot of responsibilities, but he always let me take care of me. I was a player under his dad (Jim), and with me being a Senator as a player, this place is very important to me. I have zero regrets reflecting on my time at Robinson and am really excited about my future.”

Maumelle returns Weston Pierce at quarterback but was hit hard by graduation, including losing Razorbacks signees Andrew Chamblee, a standout offensive lineman, and Nico Davillier, a star defensive lineman. The Hornets also lost Division II signees Caleb Stroud and Roderick Watts on offense and Jordan Harrison on defense. They also face the task of replacing Jesse Knight, who was a highlight waiting to happen in all three phases of the game.