Edison swim co-coach Keith Ryan, who helped build the Chargers into a Division 1 power, has resigned to move to Northern California with his wife, Aleah, who recently landed a job as a social worker in the Vallejo school district, he confirmed Tuesday.

Ryan, who had teamed with veteran coach Diggy Riley, broke the news to the Chargers on Monday.

While excited for the next chapter of his life, Ryan said it was hard saying goodbye to a program he put his “heart and soul” into.

“It was a pretty emotional day,” Ryan said.

Ryan, 29, graduated from Edison in 2002 and took over as the boys swim coach in 2005, the same season a freshman named Tom Shields stepped on the Chargers’ pool deck. Ryan has been co-coaching the program since 2009 with Riley.

The Edison girls captured the CIF Division 1 title in 2009 and were Division 1 runner-ups in 2008 and 2010. Ryan was The Register’s coach of the year in 2009 with Riley.

“He’s going to do a great job,” Ryan said of Riley.

Ryan said he is looking to go into the restaurant industry in Northern California and pursue a job as a school counselor.

Please send swimming news to Dan Albano at dalbano@ocregister.com

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