Georgia College Director of Athletics Wendell Staton announced the promotion of Ryan Aquino to head coach of Bobcat Men’s Basketball Tuesday.
Aquino is the eighth head coach in GC Men’s Basketball history, and the first Bobcat alum to take the reins of GC’s Men’s Basketball program.
“I am thrilled that Ryan Aquino will be leading our Men’s Basketball program,” said Staton. “As our search committee led us through an intense and thorough process, Ryan rose to the top of an outstanding candidate pool. Ryan has a clear and outstanding record of recruiting holistically successful student-athletes to Georgia College. From recruiting to game management, from camps to student-athlete relationships, he has been an integral part of the outstanding culture within our Men’s Basketball program. Ryan’s impact is felt throughout our program as he knows, lives and exudes the Georgia College culture.”
“This is not just a job for Ryan, it’s THE destination for him. Ryan will continue to elevate every facet of our program. He is loyal, dependable and the ultimate team player who is always ready to assist. I am excited about his vision for our program, and I have complete trust in Ryan to take our program to even greater heights in the classroom, in the community and on the court.”
Serving as assistant coach and head recruiting coordinator for eight seasons at GC, he helped guide the team to a 115-99 record during that timeframe, including an appearance in the 2021-22 NCAA Tournament. He also spent the 2013-14 season as a graduate assistant coach for the Bobcats.
“I am thrilled to be named head coach for the Georgia College Men’s Basketball program,” said Aquino. “Given the opportunity to not only start my head coaching career, but to do so at my alma mater, is an incredible feeling. I would like to thank President Cathy Cox, Athletic Director Wendell Staton and the search committee for putting their trust in me to lead this program. I’m also excited to start this new chapter specifically with the high-quality character of our current student-athletes.”
Aquino helped coach Bobcat student-athletes to 10 All-Peach Belt Conference (PBC) honors in his career, including All-Region status for both Jordan Thomas and Terrell Harris. Harris was also an All-American and PBC Player of the Year in 2016-17.
Consistent with the well-rounded nature of Georgia College students, Aquino has been assistant coach for all three of the program’s Elite-16 Awards, including Brandon Thomas winning his second-straight this past year. The team has also won the PBC Team Sportsmanship Award four times in his eight seasons, and once when he was on the roster in 2008-09.
Prior to re-joining his alma mater on the sideline, Aquino was a professional player in Germany. In the collegiate ranks he was well decorated, earning a spot in the Reese’s Senior All-Star Game, and All-Southeast Region First Team honors from both the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Daktronics. Aquino was the only player in the PBC to average a double-double his senior season, earning 2011-12 All-PBC First Team as well.
Aquino is a two-time GC alum, adding a Master’s in Instructional Technology in 2015.
He will address Bobcat Nation for the first time as head coach in a welcome and press conference Thursday, June 23 at 9:30 a.m. in the Centennial Center. The event is free and open to the public.
As a proud recipient of the 2021 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GC Athletics is now two-time winners of both the PBC Commissioner’s Cup and the league’s sportsmanship honor. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams’ continued appearances in post-season competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of “Graduating Champions for Life.”
https://gcbobcats.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/releases/20220621lbourq
