Family versus family.

That was the decision Pojoaque Valley head volleyball coach Brian Ainsworth faced.

On Monday, he grudgingly chose his personal family and opted for a new opportunity at Rio Rancho Cleveland as its new head coach. He tendered his resignation at the school and the volleyball family he developed for nine seasons, leading the Elkettes to four Class AAA state championships -- including the last three years.

He also coached Pojoaque baseball for three years, leading it to a AAA championship in 2005.

Pojoaque is also looking for a new head football coach, as Pat Rodriguez resigned last week after a 6-4 mark in 2011 and a 9-11 mark in two seasons.

Ainsworth, who was 159-31 in that time, struggled mightily with his choice.

"It boiled down to providing my two kids some bigger opportunities," Ainsworth said. "In the classroom, in the extracurricular activities, as well as the competitive athletic fields. It was the hardest decision I've had to make while being a coach."

Ainsworth said he reached out to a variety of voices to make his choice. He asked college coaches how a move to a AAAAA program would affect his daughter Briana, who is the two-time player of the year in AAA. He approached St. Michael's head boys basketball coach Ron Geyer about how moving to a new place affects a family.

Geyer moved from Alamogordo to Los Lunas to Santa Fe in three years.

He even talked to former coaches about what led them to leave the profession. The answers centered on doing what was best for the family.

"You have to make the decision that is right for your family and your kids," Ainsworth said. "I think Pojoaque is a great place. I will cherish every moment I've built here in the nine years. We've got some great parents and great athletes."

Ainsworth said he plans on commuting from his Española home to Rio Rancho for the time being, but he doesn't want to lose touch with roots he and wife Melissa planted there almost 20 years ago.

"We've given and received so much support," Ainsworth said. "I want to thank everybody for that, and I hope it's not over. I want to keep helping out."