Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

More changes are in the works for the College of the Redwoods athletics department, the Corsairs announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Just six days after the local college announced the hiring of two new head coaches for the 2025/26 school year, the Corsairs have made two additional changes within the department.

Beginning this summer, men’s basketball associate head coach Justin Claus will take over as head coach of the team, while current head coach Ryan Bisio has been named the Corsairs new Athletic Director on an interim basis.

According to a press release announcing the news, current AD Bob Brown “will step into an expanded role overseeing campus life and student conduct.”

Bisio, who has served as assistant AD for almost two years, says he is looking forward to the new challenge.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the elevated responsibility of leading our athletic department,” he said. “Because of the heart and unwavering dedication of Bob Brown, I’m being gifted a department that’s never been in a healthier place.

“Although now in a different role, the focus of my work will remain the same: supporting our wonderful student-athletes and coaches to the best of my ability.”

Claus has been coaching the men’s basketball team alongside Bisio since the two were hired in the spring of 2019.

According to Bisio, his priority from day one on the job was to bring Claus on board.

“My first recruit was Justin Claus,” he said. “Because I knew that’s a future head coach right there.”

During their time together with the team, the dynamic coaching duo have led the Corsairs to a remarkable four Golden Valley Conference championships in five full seasons.

Claus is a former CR player who played for the Corsairs from 2014 to 2016 and is one of the program’s top 25 all-time scorers.

Bisio believes the transition will be seamless.

“Justin has worked tirelessly on behalf of our players and has earned the opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program,” the new interim AD said. “I and all the freshmen returning next season agree that Justin is the best person to capitalize on the continuity he’s helped create and take this program to a higher level.

“He’s ready to be a head coach at this level, and I think he’s been ready for a while.”

Justin Claus talks to the CR players during a recent game.

Bisio steps away with a record of 109-36 (.751) and was named the California Community College Coach of the Year in 2023.

Claus expressed his appreciation for his time coaching with Bisio.

“Coaching alongside Bisio for the past five seasons has been an unforgettable experience, and I can’t overstate how much I’ve learned,” he said. “This program has become a source of pride for our campus and community, and I take that responsibility seriously.”

Bisio also paid tribute to the job Brown has done during his time as AD and how much Brown has taught him during their time working closely together.

“That’s been invaluable, working that close with Bob,” Bisio said. “I had such a valuable experience having him tutor me and learning so much from him.

“I’m as prepared as I can be.”

No official word yet on why there is an interim tag, but it’s something the Corsairs have used in the past and there is every reason to believe that Bisio will be named to the position permanently at some stage.

The changes were announced less than a week after Macy Thomas was announced as CR’s new volleyball head coach and Juan Perez was named the new women’s soccer head coach.

Earlier this month, the local community college also announced that the CR football team will move up from the American Division to the more competitive National Division.

There is also a lot of ongoing renovation to the athletic facilities right now, including the addition of new all-weather field for football and soccer.

“We have a lot of momentum in our department right now,” Bisio said. “It’s up to all of us to capitalize on that.”