BREWER – Ed Ortego has flown fighter jets.

He’s been the strength coach for Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Kevin Mawae, an offensive lineman for the New York Jets.

Now he’s the head football coach at Brewer High School.

Ortego, defensive coordinator for the Witches since 1995, replaces Josh Emmett, who left after five years to take a high school teaching and assistant coaching position in Illinois.

Ortego, 57, brings a unique career path to the Brewer football program. He spent 20 years as an Air Force fighter pilot before retiring to embark upon a second career as a teacher and coach.

Initially he served as a strength coach at Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, La. He worked with the school’s football team – including Mawae – for a year, then switched to the men’s basketball program, where he worked with O’Neal and fellow 7-footer Stanley Roberts.

Ortego went on to become a high school coach in Baton Rouge for three years before relocating to Maine with his wife in 1995.

He’s been at Brewer High School ever since, not only as a coach but also as a biology teacher.

“He’s a natural fit for us,” said Brewer athletic director Dennis Kiah. “He’s in the school, he knows the kids, and they respect him. He’s also familiar with the football program, knows the talent level and what needs to be done.”

Brewer, a combined 14-6 during the last two years, will send a youthful team out in search of its third straight Eastern Maine Class B playoff berth this fall. Just one starter returns to the same position on defense, while three are back on offense.

“We’re a very young team, but I’m excited about the athletes we have,” said Ortego.

That youth may make it easier for Ortego to incorporate some modifications in the way the Witches play football, while at the same time providing continuity for a program that has made great strides in recent years but went 1-8 as recently as the 2000 season.

“The defense will be pretty much the same,” he said. “There are some differences in philosophy on offense, so we’ll work to get them implemented. I think we have some quickness that we’ll try to use to our best advantage.”

One thing that will remain constant will be the team’s focus on strength and conditioning.

“We think we have one of the best programs around,” said Ortego.

Ortego sees enthusiasm throughout the Brewer football program, with 43 players participating in the Witches’ June camp.

But perhaps no one is more enthused than its new leader.

“Most coaches are burned out [at 57],” Ortego said. “I just got into coaching in 1990. I feel like I’m just starting.”