By Ray Hamill — Ryan Bisio has been named head coach of the College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team, the school announced on Monday afternoon.

Bisio, a local player and long-time coach who graduated St. Bernard’s in 2000, was chosen from what CR Athletic Director Bob Brown described as “very impressive” pool of applicants, who interviewed last week.

And the new coach is excited about the opportunity.

“Coaching basketball at the college level was pretty much a bucket list item for me,” Bisio said. “It’s something I’ve always aspired to do, and the opportunity was there for me to fulfill that dream.”

It will be his first head coaching job at the collegiate level.

Bisio replaces interim coach Darren Turpin, who has been in charge of the team since late December when second-year head coach Aaron Hungerford was replaced for violation of department policies.

Turpin was one of three finalists from the nine candidates to interview.

“Darren was right there,” Brown said. “He also is an outstanding coach, and he did an outstanding job in replacement of Aaron.”

Bisio says he will “hit the ground running,” putting together a coaching staff and meeting with the returning players this week.

The Corsairs closed out a winless season at Butte last week.

The new coach, however, believes there is plenty of talent in the area to build a successful program and to “completely change the perception” of CR basketball locally.

“Keeping the best local talent is essential,” he said.

Bisio had a second interview on Monday morning, impressing Brown throughout the process.

“Ryan did an excellent job in his preparation for applying for the job, and in the interview process, and in presenting his vision and his plan as to where he believes the program can be, and the potential the program has,” the AD said.

Bisio, who will continue in his job as Athletic Director at St. Bernard’s, served as head coach of the Arcata boys team during a very successful four-year period from 2014 to 2018, leading the Tigers to three straight league titles and a record of 82-31.

After graduating St. Bernard’s Academy he played college ball for Cal State Monterey Bay in the CCAA.

Since then he has had several coaching stops along the way, including Monterey Bay, Santa Rosa JC, and both Carmel and Branson high schools.

He also has spent time playing and coaching basketball in Copenhagen, which he says gave him a different perspective of the game.