Bio

Ryan Bisio became the sixth Director of Athletics in College of the Redwoods history on November 1, 2025. Prior to his appointment, Bisio served as Assistant Director of Athletics (2023–2025) and Head Men’s Basketball Coach (2019–2025), roles through which he developed a reputation for competitive excellence, institutional leadership, and deep commitment to student success.

“It feels very natural being in this role, supporting students and coaches,” Bisio says. “The abilities the job requires aren’t a strain on the tools I’ve obtained up to this point and, I would argue, give me more opportunity to improve the things that helped me find success as a former coach.”

Bisio’s tenure as head coach firmly positioned Redwoods men’s basketball among the elite programs in California Community College athletics. In five seasons, he led Redwoods to five state playoff appearances, four Golden Valley Conference championships — including a three-peat in his first three seasons — and three California Sweet 16 Regional Final appearances. He was named Golden Valley Conference Coach of the Year four times and earned the 2023 California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association State Coach of the Year award.

Bisio holds numerous all-time school records, including highest overall winning percentage (.751; 109–36), most playoff appearances (5), most conference championships (4), highest conference winning percentage (.820; 45–5), and an undefeated conference home record (25–0). Under his leadership, the program achieved the highest state ranking in school history (#11) and produced five Junior College All-Americans, five All-State selections, and 12 student-athletes who earned basketball scholarships.

Before joining College of the Redwoods, Bisio served as Director of Athletics at St. Bernard’s Academy in Eureka, California (2018–2020), where the Crusaders hosted and captured a CIF State Championship in football and a Northern California Final in girls basketball. He also compiled an 82–31 record as head boys’ basketball coach at Arcata High School (2014–2018), leading the Tigers to three consecutive HDN championships, three conference tournament titles, four North Coast Section playoff appearances, and a state tournament berth in 2015–2016.

Bisio’s coaching experience extends internationally, having coached professionally in Europe where he led Hvidovre Basket to four National Final Four appearances — the first in club history. He has also coached at The Branson School, Carmel High School, and Santa Rosa Junior College.

A graduate of St. Bernard’s High School (2000), Bisio played collegiate basketball on scholarship at College of Notre Dame, Santa Rosa Junior College, and California State University Monterey Bay. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Music/Jazz Studies and a master’s degree in Coaching and Sports Administration from Concordia University, Irvine.

In parallel with his athletics career, Bisio is an accomplished singer-songwriter, producer, and performer with nine studio releases. His music has taken him across California, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, sharing stages with Grammy Award winners and nationally acclaimed artists. In 2017, he released the EP Bona Fide while opening for Grammy-nominated Icelandic rock band Kaleo. He has taught songwriting through the Arcata Arts Institute and continues to pursue athletics and music as parallel callings.

Bisio is currently preparing the release of his book, Musicality of the Game: The Artistry of Basketball, a project he describes as his life’s work, alongside a new studio album being recorded in Northern California.

He resides in Eureka, California, with his neighbor’s cat, Bill.

“I think this is how community college was intended to operate,” Bisio says. “Members homegrown in a community developing future members, with a unique understanding of the historical context. It’s a very traditional approach to serving our community—and it makes me proud."