Standing on the Taylorsville field after the second day of tryouts, new head coach Jake Brown could not help but smile as he reflected on what it took to be the Warriors' new manager.

Brown was on schedule to be the new coach at Highland, it seemed, but when Taylorsville school officials offered him a teaching position in addition to the baseball coaching duties, Brown said it was a no-brainer decision to go to the West Valley school.

"Highland is a great school, great faculty, awesome students, all the stuff you could ask for," said Brown. "But they did not offer me a teaching position. And Taylorsville did. It was as simple as that."

Brown grew up in Prescott, Ariz., before embarking on a college career that saw him play for two programs in the Big 12, Iowa State and Texas Tech. At Texas Tech he was an All Big-12 selection at third base. He would later go on to coach with the Red Raiders, before moving to the University of Utah and coaching there as an assistant.

At Utah he got familiar with some of the high school programs around in Utah. Brown thinks that the talent in Utah is underrated nationally.

"There is some talent out here," said Brown. "But it seems like it goes under the radar a bit."

At 28, Brown has the energy and enthusiasm to keep the Warriors baseball program on track. He also wants to uphold the storied tradition of Taylorsville baseball. The Warriors have sent a number of former players to the Major Leagues, including closer Brandon Lyon of the Houston Astros and catcher John Buck of the Kansas City Royals.

"Taylorsville is where it's at," said Brown. "This program has everything a coach needs. We want to keep it on the right track."

Brown is replacing Guy Mackey, who was let go after last season's disappointing 12-14 season. An eight-game losing streak was one of the main reasons Mackey was let go, even though the coach had compiled a 91-41 record in five seasons as the skipper of the Warriors.

Mackey had won three region titles (2005, 2006 and 2008) in his five years, and led the Warriors to a second-place finish in states in 2007. But with growing discord among parents and supporters for his ouster, Taylorsville administrators thought it was time for a change.

For Brown, it means he has to win, and win right away. This is Brown's first head coaching opportunity and he knows that expectations will be high, but embraces the challenge of getting the Warriors back into the playoffs.

"We just want to keep this thing going," said Brown. "I'm excited about this team. We have some really good arms and I think we'll have the bats to keep us in most games. Time will tell, but I'm very excited."