Ryan Masterson named Parker boys basketball coach
JANESVILLE — Ryan Masterson is returning to his roots.
The 39-year-old Janesville native is the new boys basketball coach at Janesville Parker High.
“I grew up going to Parker games,” the new Viking coach said this morning. “I’ve always had a picture in my mind of what it would be like to be the Parker coach.”
Masterson’s uncle, John Brikowski, played on the 1971 Parker boys state championship basketball team, and his father, Rich, taught at Parker.
So Masterson has Parker roots, although most of his basketball experience has been at Janesville Craig.
The Masterson family moved to the east side, and Ryan played his high school basketball at Craig. He graduated in 1987.
After he graduated from the University of Wisconsin, he returned to teach social studies and AP American history at Craig.
He also has been a boys basketball assistant for the past seven years. He always thought about coaching, starting when he volunteered at the YMCA while he was in high school.
Masterson didn’t hesitate to apply when Parker coach Jim LeMire resigned last month after going 9-33 in two seasons. He got the official word that he got the job at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Parker Athletic Director Steve Schroeder said eight people applied and five were interviewed.
“After Ryan’s interview, we were very impressed with his energy and realistic expectations about the program and how fast the program can progress,” Schroeder said. “He’s very excited about turning our program around.”
That process will take work.
“I’m not in this for the short term,” Masterson said. “I realize that for next year’s senior class, I will be their third head coach. Stability will be the key.”
Masterson knows what he has to do to turn around the program, which is 15-112 over the past six seasons.
“You have to get the best athletes out,” he said. “I believe Parker athletics is one of the prime programs in the state. You look at football, girls basketball, track, wrestling and hockey, they have great athletes.
“I’ve got to believe there are athletes over there,” he said. “You also have to develop the youth program. This is a long-term project. It’s not going to happen overnight.”
One of Masterson’s first goals will be to close the gap between the Craig and Parker programs. He especially will enjoy going up against Bob Suter, whom he both played and coached under.
“It will definitely be an honor to do that,” Masterson said. “And hopefully, it goes on for a while.”
Apr 18, 2008 at 6:14 p.m.
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No one is forcing Masterson to return to Parker. Its a great opportunity to rebuild Parker's basketball program. The girls program has proven to be one of the best in the state-football is solid, and Masterson will be under pressure to fix the problem is boys basketball. Give the guy a chance to succeed.
Apr 18, 2008 at 3:16 p.m.
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Great to see we have a coach who refers to the west side as, "Over there". Really showing your roots there. As for NVgrf's comment, why are the "men" the only ones crying about not getting their own room? Does any other team at Parker get their own room? I just don't see any good reason for it, unless their coach wears a sling to practice.
Apr 17, 2008 at 2:25 p.m.
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does it matter where someone goes to school and then coaches at? I don't think Tom Klawitter or Joe Dye were Parker students, but I could be wrong. Some can never win. BTW--toehead304....amen to that! (and perhaps you should add to keep them off the gazetteextra.com threads!)
Apr 17, 2008 at 9:06 a.m.
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Don't you think it is time to move on? Ryan was in High School over 20 years ago. He was a great guy back then and I am sure he still is. Good luck Ryan!
Apr 17, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.
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SKI1357 I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE. GOOD ENOUGH TO COACH PARKER BUT TO GOOD TO PLAY FOR THEM. GOOD LUCK RYAN
Apr 16, 2008 at 8:58 p.m.
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Keep the parents in the stands and Ryan will do fine. Let them flap their jaws and I'll give him two years.
Apr 16, 2008 at 7:24 p.m.
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""Boys play basketball.....Men wrestle!" And as history has demonstrated at Parker, maybe that's true."
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Then who golfs?
Apr 16, 2008 at 7:05 p.m.
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And so what if Parker never develops a "winning" boys basketball program. Does it need to be a priority? The wrestling program has been more than successful since the school opened in the late 60's. And no high school athletes work harder and sacrifice more than do the wrestlers. Parker wrestlers have always said, "Boys play basketball.....Men wrestle!" And as history has demonstrated at Parker, maybe that's true.
Apr 16, 2008 at 4:39 p.m.
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My biggest fear for Ryan is that eventually he too will fall by the wayside. For whatever reason, it seems that everyone comes into the job with great enthusiasm but eventually realizes that the west side just isn't interested in basketball or the commitment it takes to become a good program. Just ask Mike Miller, one of Masterson's co-workers at Craig and a former head basketball coach at Parker. GOOD LUCK RYAN...you're going to need it!
Apr 16, 2008 at 1:37 p.m.
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he played for Parker as a sophmore....then transfered and played a Craig as a Junior and Senior....great guy....good luck
Apr 16, 2008 at 12:40 p.m.
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Great point NVgrf. Its also interesting that this article doesn't mention the reason the family moved was because of the better Craig basketball program.
Apr 16, 2008 at 11:56 a.m.
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Ryan will do a great job. But we will hold him to his comment when Bob Suiter retires: "I'm not in this for the short term."
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