By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
After spending 11 years as an assistant coach in boys’ high school basketball, Ryan Bowman is taking charge of the Boone County girls’ basketball program.
Bowman, 35, was named head coach of the Rebels on Monday. This is the third consecutive year that Boone County has hired someone to fill that position. The previous two head coaches — Ray Kues and Jessica Wendeln — stepped down after one season. Both of their teams lost in the opening round of the district playoffs and finished with a losing record.
“It doesn’t concern me,” Bowman said of the Rebels’ last two seasons. “I’ve been with a lot of different programs (as an assistant coach) and every program has its problems and challenges. I got to experience those things and learned a lot from them. It’s really just taking it one day at a time, believing in the process and every day building a positive basketball culture on and off the floor. If you’re consistent and disciplined every single day and the team strives to be better, I really think we can make something special.”
Last season, Bowman was an assistant coach on the Cooper boys’ basketball team that was runner-up in the state tournament. He also coached boys’ basketball at Conner and Ryle, the other two high schools in Boone County. The only previous experience he had coaching girls basketball was in Amateur Athletic Union summer programs.
“Coaching is coaching,” he said. “It’s working hard every day and having the passion every day to get better. I don’t think it’s going to be a tough transition. I’m a true believer that coaching basketball is coaching basketball.”
Boone County built one of the most successful girls’ basketball programs in the state under former head coach Nell Fookes, who resigned in 2015 with a 686-253 record in 30 years. But the last time the Rebels won a 9th Region title was 2012 and the last two teams were 0-1 in 33rd District playoff games.
“I feel what a great opportunity to build the program back up,” Bowman said. “The program is known for winning. Nell Fookes was a fantastic coach and with all the accomplishments she had it’s definitely a prestigious program. I’m looking to work hard every day and get the program back to where it should be, and that’s winning basketball games.”
Two seniors were among the top four scorers on Boone County’s team that posted a 10-20 record last season. Junior guards Maleah Hirn and Tess Gieske and sophomore forward Kayla Anderson were the top underclassmen on the Rebels’ roster.
“From talking to the athletic director, they’ve got several girls coming back who are pretty athletic,” said Bowman, who will have his first meeting with players and parents on Thursday. “There’s some talent there. I’m itching to get some open gyms going and see what we have. I’m just so excited. I’ve been doing this for 11 years and waiting for the opportunity to get my own program. Boone County is giving me that opportunity and I’m not going to let them down.”
Boone County is one of three Northern Kentucky girls’ basketball teams that will have a new head coach next season. Holmes and Ludlow have not yet announced who will take charge of their programs.