Ruston basketball coach steps down to assume new role

RUSTON, La. (KTVE/KARD) – After nearly two decades of coaching, basketball has remained a steadfast passion for Ryan Bond. However, he is now embarking on a new chapter, transitioning from coaching basketball at Ruston High School to assuming the role of a 9th-grade assistant principal, exchanging his sneakers for loafers.

“I’ve had several people say, “Do we have to call you Mr. Bond or Coach Bond?” And I say, “Nah, it’ll always be coach,”” said Ryan Bond, former head coach of Ruston boys’ basketball team.

The dual responsibilities of coaching and an administrative position go hand-in-hand, profoundly influencing his approach to leadership.

“You deal with a lot of diverse personalities,” said Bond. “Some kids you can challenge them a little bit more, and push them. Other kids you have to put your arm around them and say, “Hey, what’s going on? Talk to me.” More of a calm situation, I think all kids you just have to learn how to read them and figure out their personalities, backgrounds, where they’re coming from, what’s going on in their lives, and get to know them on a personal level. I think those go hand-in-hand.”

The nexus between coaching and leadership is evident, particularly in upholding Ruston High’s esteemed standards.

“I look at administration just like coaching,” said Bond, current 9th-grade assistant principal at Ruston. “It’s all about preparing these young people for life. There’s gonna be adversity, there’s gonna be some things that you don’t wanna do. There’s gonna be some situations that are not the most comfortable or the most fun, but you gotta learn to take those setbacks or those difficult situations and persevere and work hard. We want them to act right in the classroom, act right in the hallways, act right in the community.. it just, it all goes together. As far as athletics, academics… Ruston High we have a standard and we want to continue to hold kids to a high standard.”

Yet, despite assuming new duties, Bond’s commitment to coaching remains unwavering.

“{I’ll} probably sneak down the back hall-stairwell and check ’em out,” Bond said jokingly. “{But} no… I’ll still have basketball duties and these kids, they’re like my own children. I’m gonna be around and I’m gonna be supportive. You can’t help but to gravitate towards these players. You can’t help but to root for ’em, and you wanna be around ’em and, nah, whatever I can do to help them out, I’m gonna be apart of it. I want them to win two more ballgames next year and get a state championship. That’s what I want for them, so I’m gonna, whatever they need, if they’re having trouble with something and they come to me, I’ll sit down and listen and try to help them out, and try to help out the new coach… so whatever I can do to help them win.”

While Ruston raced initial hurdles upon Bond’s arrival, concerted efforts have led to a notable transformation, especially in recent years.

“Our program has respect now,” Bond said. “The first year I remember losing to Wossman by 60+ points, and losing to Rayville. Those are really good programs, and they beat a lot of people, and they weren’t trying to run up the score or anything like that, they were just so much better than our program at the time. Now, we are able to compete with those teams and beat them sometimes, not very often with Wossman, but that’s what I’m proud of.. the program. And I’m always reflective of on how it was {to} how it is now. Our kids are really good kids, they act right in the classroom, they make good grades, they’re great people in the community… that’s what I’m most proud of. But, I’m excited for this next chapter.”

For Bond, the journey from player to coach has come full circle, marking a significant milestone in his career.