Ron Larson has announced his retirement as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
Larson has been at the helm of the Golden Rams for the past 14 years, coming to Anoka-Ramsey after serving as the head boys’ basketball coach at St. Francis High School for 28 years, as well as the Activities Director for 20 years. Larson also coached high school basketball in Braham, Underwood, and Fergus Falls.
In his 14 years leading Anoka-Ramsey, Larson has presided over the most successful stretch in program history, amassing a 227-159 record including a 98-76 mark in MCAC Southern Division games.
On February 26, 2022 Anoka-Ramsey defeated Rochester 62-51 in the NJCAA Region XIII tournament semifinals, marking the 700th career win for Larson including 473 wins as a high school head coach.
The Golden Rams experienced unprecedented success under Larson, highlighted by the 2016-2017 team that finished 28-5, winning the NJCAA Region XIII Tournament and placing fourth in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament. That season saw the Golden Rams ranked #1 in the nation for the first time in program history and earned their first-ever #1 seed in the national tournament.
The 2013-2014 season also culminated in a NJCAA Region XIII championship, with 24 wins and a sixth-place finish in the national tournament. Prior to Larson’s arrival the Golden Rams had only been to one national tournament.
The Golden Rams qualified for the NJCAA Region XIII tournament for nine consecutive seasons from 2010-2019 and had four seasons with 22 or more wins.
In the last 12 seasons Anoka-Ramsey advanced to the NJCAA Region XIII Tournament championship game five times, the second most in Region XIII.
The Golden Rams had numerous All-Division, All-State, and All-Region players under Larson with three players earning NJCAA Honorable Mention All-America honors.
“It’s been my pleasure to coach some outstanding young men and be a part of their lives and development the last 14 years at Anoka-Ramsey Community College,” said Larson. “To watch their growth academically and socially has been more rewarding than the victories on the court. GO GOLDEN RAMS”.
Larson has been inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, as well as the St. Francis High School Hall of Fame.
https://arccgoldenrams.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/releases/20220309f00659
