Corsairs’ Ryan Bisio wins California Coach of the Year
After leading his team to a school-record 26 wins, College of the Redwoods men’s basketball coach Ryan Bisio was honored as the state’s Coach of the Year for Northern California by California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA) on Friday.
“I gotta be honest, I’m even a bit embarrassed because there’s so many good coaches at this level,” said Bisio in a phone interview from the CCCAA finals. “It means a great deal because of just how important this level is for kids.”
The Corsairs won their third straight Golden Valley Conference title this season, becoming just the second school in history to achieve the feat. Redwoods finished the year 26-4, the best mark in school history, after falling in the third round of the state playoffs in battle with one of the strongest programs in California, College of the Sequoias. The Corsairs battled against the Giants, whose roster was littered with Division I caliber players, but ultimately fell in a 58-49 loss.
Redwoods had two players named to the All-State team, freshman guard Treyson Neff and sophomore forward Jon Nchekwube. Nchekwube led the state of California with an impressive 17.5 rebounds per game.
Coach Bisio’s unorthodox approach has led to unprecedented success at one of the most remote junior colleges in California. The unique incorporation of musical philosophy and basketball fundamentals has proven to be remarkably successful and unlike anything that typically exists in the college basketball landscape.
“It just feels great to be recognized by our colleagues who really understand that, you know, we’re doing this with less resources. I’m doing this as a part-time coach,” said Bisio. “It also kind of re-centered what the award is about. It gets back to acknowledging a lot of the unsung stories that happen year-in and year-out around our state.”
It’s an exciting moment that exemplifies much of the success that Redwoods has had under Athletic
“My hope is that this continues to help our recruiting, that more kids are interested in trying to understand the way that we’re doing it up at Redwoods.” — Ryan Bisio, College of the Redwoods men’s basketball coach
Director Bob Brown. The football team put together one of the best seasons of the past two decades under coach Jason White, which was the team’s first year back after two missed seasons. There was also the success of cross-country state champion Hannah Hartwell.
The award had extra significance for Bisio, as he got to follow in the foot steps of legendary head
coach Craig McMillan. Bisio played for McMillan at Santa Rosa Junior College before playing for Cal State Monterey Bay. McMillan also won coach of the year in 2014.
“He’s a legend, he’s a treasure in our state,” said Bisio of his mentor. “I’ve learned so much from him. And he won this award once so to be on the all-time list with him… he’s a disciple of Lute Olsen and played with Steve Kerr on those great Arizona teams, and I’m a disciple of him.”
That legacy of basketball, with a delightfully unique connection to Northern California, adds to the significance of the award.
“I’m grateful to be a link in that chain,” said Bisio. “That means so much to me.”
Although there’s been plenty of success over these past three seasons, Bisio, who spoke on the phone from the state finals in Lemoore, conceded that he’s hardly had time to really enjoy the experience of winning. Observing the elite basketball at the tournament finals has only motivated him further to take the next step with the Corsairs.
“My hope is that this continues to help our recruiting, that more kids are interested in trying to understand the way that we’re doing it up at Redwoods,” Bisio said. “I’m ready to get back to work already. I dream of bringing a team to this event (the state finals).”
The excitement around that was possibly more palpable than his excitement for winning the award. It’s a long path to next season and there are still ambitious goals left for the Corsairs to achieve, but it’s also a good time to reflect on the fact this program has already reached new heights under Bisio’s leadership.
“I’m going to be striving to bring a team down here because this is the kind of mecca of our level,” said Bisio. “I feel as motivated as ever to keep ascending our program.”