Resurrection Christian hires Ryan Yoder as its next boys basketball coach

Courtesy of Resurrection Christian Schools

Resurrection Christian has hired former Colorado State basketball star Ryan Yoder to be its next boys basketball coach, athletic director Dan Knab announced.

Yoder was introduced to his new team on Thursday evening. He played at CSU from 1991-94, and still holds a number of records for the men’s basketball program, including career assists.

It was a big first hire for Knab, who started as Resurrection Christian’s athletic director this month after helping to build Liberty Common from the ground up for the past two decades.

“We’ve known each other dating back to CSU. My dad introduced him and his wife, Erika,” Knab said. “So every time I had a basketball opening, even if it was a junior high girls coach, I was like, ‘Hey, we’ve got a spot for you.’ He would always say, ‘Someday.’ So I called him up, and said, ‘Hey put your money where your mouth is.'”

Yoder has primarily been a youth basketball coach, helping to coach his kids teams.

“His basketball IQ is super high,” Knab said. “He’s from Indiana, so he’s a Hoosier through-and-through. He’s got a little bit of a learning coach with high school basketball, but anyone who knows Ryan … he’s a perfectionist. He has a high bar. He raises the bar and gets the kids over it.”

Yoder takes over for Bruce Dick, who led the program to a very successful 10 seasons, including championship game appearances in 2015 and 2016, and Final 4s in 2012 and 2020.

So expectations for the program are understandably high.

“At first it was like, ‘Here’s the keys the Ferrari, don’t wreck it,'” Knab said with a laugh. “The more I talk to him, it’s like, ‘Best can be better. Think outside the lines, and make it yours.’

“He’s really excited about building tradition,” Knab added. “He’s a traditionalist. There are some things from Indiana that he wants to implement that are special and unique to RCS. He wants to continue that culture and really have respect and sportsmanship. Those are big deals. Do all the little things right, and the wins will come.”