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Will Rider is a basketball coach who has worked with several teams, including the women's basketball team at Chadron State College. Rider has also served as the athletic director and women's basketball coach at Gillette College in Wyoming, leading the team to success and overseeing the rise of the Chadron twins, Ashlea and Bailea Kerr, as well as other talented players. In 2019, Rider took on a new role as the athletic director for Grays Harbor College, aiming to bring a more professional and polished image to the Chokers program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Rider |
| Position | Women's basketball coach and athletic director |
| Institution | Gillette College, Chadron State College, Grays Harbor College |
| Coaching career | Turner High School in Montana, Douglas High School in Wyoming, Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona |
| Coaching hiatus | 10 years |
| Notable players | Ashlea and Bailea Kerr, Shawnea Harrington, Ingeborg Gjengsto, Carline, Freya Newton |
| Coaching focus | Rider focuses on compliance, eligibility, and presenting a professional front for the program |
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What You'll Learn
Will Rider's coaching career
Will Rider began his coaching career after graduating from Montana State-Northern. He joined the staff at Turner High School in Montana, then returned to his home state of Wyoming to work as an assistant coach at Douglas High School. Rider then moved to the college level, leading the women's basketball team at Chadron State College. During his time at Chadron State, the team rose in the ranks from the NAIA to NCAA Division II.
After a ten-year coaching hiatus, Rider returned to coaching girls' basketball at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona. In 2009, he moved back to Wyoming to coach the women's basketball team at Gillette College. While at Gillette, Rider also served as the athletic director. He recruited several talented players to the Pronghorns squad, including twins Ashlea and Bailea Kerr, Shawnea Harrington, and Ingeborg Gjengsto. Rider stepped back from his coaching duties after the 2017 basketball season but remained at Gillette, enjoying working in a youthful environment.
In 2019, Rider was hired as the athletic director at Grays Harbor College, where he aimed to bring a more professional look to the Chokers athletic program. Rider expressed his desire to present a professional front, improve compliance, and attract people to the program. He sold his Wyoming home and moved several states away to the Harbor, where he planned to buy a new house.
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Rider's time at Chadron State College
Will Rider's time at Chadron State College was a significant period in his coaching career. Rider led the women's basketball team at Chadron State College, guiding them through a notable transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. This achievement underscores his ability to drive the team's success and improve their ranking. Rider's stint at Chadron State College was part of his broader coaching journey, which included various roles at both the high school and college levels.
Rider's coaching career began after he graduated from Montana-State Northern. He started by joining the staff at Turner High School in Montana, then moved back to his home state of Wyoming to work as an assistant coach at Douglas High School. Rider's talent and passion for coaching were evident from these early stages of his career.
The period at Chadron State College was a stepping stone for Rider, as he continued to make strides in the world of basketball coaching. His ability to lead and motivate a team contributed to the success of the women's basketball program at the college. Rider's time at Chadron State College left a lasting impact on the team's performance and culture, setting a foundation for future achievements.
Following his time at Chadron State College, Rider took a 10-year coaching hiatus before returning to the sidelines at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona. In 2009, he moved back to Wyoming to coach the women's basketball team at Gillette College. Rider's impact extended beyond the court, as he also served as the athletic director at Gillette College, aiming to bring a more professional approach to the program.
Rider's coaching philosophy is characterised by his ability to identify and nurture talented players. While at Gillette College, he recruited four new players, including the Chadron twins, Ashlea and Bailea Kerr, who were high school stars in Nebraska. Rider recognised their potential, and they became valuable additions to the team.
Will Rider's tenure at Chadron State College was a pivotal period in his coaching journey, where he successfully led the women's basketball team through a significant transition. His time at the college demonstrated his leadership skills and ability to drive success, setting the tone for his subsequent coaching endeavours.
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Rider's move to Grays Harbor College
Will Rider, the former women's basketball coach and athletic director at Gillette College in Wyoming, has been appointed as the new athletic director at Grays Harbor College. Rider accepted the position on Monday, July 29, 2019, and will be joining the Grays Harbor Chokers, with a goal to bring a more professional look to the team.
Rider's career in coaching began after graduating from Montana-State Northern, where he started as a staff member at Turner High School in Montana. He then returned to his home state of Wyoming to work as an assistant at Douglas High School. Rider's first experience coaching at the college level was with the women's basketball team at Chadron State College, where he oversaw the team's rise in the ranks from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. After a 10-year coaching hiatus, Rider resumed coaching girls' basketball at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona, before returning to Wyoming in 2009 to coach the women's basketball team at Gillette College.
In April 2019, Rider began looking for new employment opportunities, and he quickly transitioned to Grays Harbor College, requiring him and his wife to move several states away. Rider is excited about engaging with coaches and providing institutional support to help retain coaches at Grays Harbor College. He aims to address challenges, such as coaching turnover, and work collaboratively to showcase professional programs and attract people to the college.
Alongside Rider, Grays Harbor College also hired PageCarol Woods as the Student Success Navigator. Woods, a graduate of TCU with a communications degree, will assist student-athletes with their class schedules, eligibility, and academics. She will also help manage operations on game days, contributing to the overall success of the Grays Harbor Chokers athletics program.
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Rider's recruits at Gillette College
Gillette College women's basketball coach Will Rider signed four new recruits to the Pronghorns hoops squad in 2014. The recruits included twins Ashlea and Bailea Kerr, who had played together for three years on the Chadron, Nebraska team, as well as Powell Panther Shawnea Harrington and Norwegian guard Ingeborg Gjengsto.
Ashlea Kerr boasted an impressive resume, including 1,435 career high school points. She also started all four years at Chadron and made three major Nebraska Class C-1 second-team, all-state teams twice. Her twin sister Bailea contributed 11 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks per game during her time at Chadron. Both sisters were versatile players who could help the Pronghorns in both the front and back courts.
Shawnea Harrington was a three-sport athlete at Powell, hauling in eight rebounds along with six points per game. Rider expressed excitement about Harrington's potential, especially since she would now be focusing solely on basketball. He praised her "great feet and good power," predicting that her skills would progress well.
Ingeborg Gjengsto continued the trend of successful foreign-born players on the Pronghorns' roster. In previous years, Rider had benefited from the contributions of foreign players like Carline from New Zealand and her high school teammate, guard Freya Newton. Carline went on to play for Portland State, and Newton headed to Idaho State despite a knee injury.
These four recruits aimed to fill the gaps left by the seven sophomores who had played their last games for Gillette College, including Division I-signed post player Alicia Carline, who led the team in scoring the previous year.
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Rider's coaching style
Will Rider has had a long and varied career as a basketball coach, with experience at both the high school and college levels. Rider's coaching style has been described as "professional". While serving as the athletic director and women's basketball coach at Gillette College in Wyoming, Rider emphasised the importance of compliance, eligibility, and presenting a professional image for the programme. He has a keen eye for talent, having recruited several successful foreign-born players to the Pronghorns roster during his tenure. Rider is also adept at recognising potential in young athletes, as demonstrated by his recruitment of twins Ashlea and Bailea Kerr, who had impressive high school careers.
Rider's coaching philosophy likely evolved over his career, which took him to various states and institutions. He began his coaching journey at Turner High School in Montana, then returned to his home state of Wyoming to work as an assistant coach at Douglas High School. Rider's first taste of college-level coaching was with the women's basketball team at Chadron State College, where he oversaw the team's rise from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. After a 10-year break from coaching, he resumed his career at Mingus Union High School in Arizona, before returning once more to Wyoming to coach the women's basketball team at Gillette College.
Rider's time at Gillette College showcased his ability to build a successful programme. He recruited talented players, such as Powell Panther Shawnea Harrington, who he believed had great potential due to her athletic attributes. Rider also continued to attract foreign-born players, maintaining a trend of success for the Pronghorns in this regard. His focus on compliance and doing things "by the book" likely contributed to a well-run programme that attracted talented athletes and staff.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Rider is the former women's basketball coach at Chadron State College. He has also served as the athletic director and women's basketball coach at Gillette College in Wyoming.
Will Rider is known for his focus on professionalism and compliance. He aims to put "professional programs on display" and attract people to the team.
Some notable players coached by Will Rider include Ashlea and Bailea Kerr, Shawnea Harrington, Ingeborg Gjengsto, Carline, and Freya Newton.
Will Rider began his coaching career at Turner High School in Montana and later became an assistant at Douglas High School in Wyoming. He then coached the women's basketball team at Chadron State College, leading them to rise from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. After a hiatus, he coached at Mingus Union High School in Arizona before returning to Wyoming to coach at Gillette College.
