To earn head coaching positions, one must stand out in interviews.
Nick Dorning did that interviewing for the vacant head boys basketball coaching position for the Ryle Raiders. The Ryle administration promoted him to the spot after he’d served as a varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach the last three years under Keaton Belcher. Belcher recently resigned from that role and as the Ryle Director of Athletics.
“He’s done things the right way,” said Matt Shafer, Ryle Principal. “Just the passion for the kids is something that stood out.”
The 38-year-old Dorning could not thank Shafer and incoming Director of Athletics Mike Woolf enough for the opportunity. Dorning had previously assisted Newport Head Coach Rod Snapp for three years.
“I want people to understand that I’ve had phenomenal mentors in this game that have taught me and kind of shown me the way,” Dorning said. “I’ve had really good people in my corner. I would not be where I am without them. I’m looking forward to getting going with the guys in the gym. Having been with these guys for three years, I love them to death. I’d do anything for them. I’m super excited for what the future holds for Ryle basketball.”
Dorning graduated from Simon Kenton in 2001. But he did not play for the Pioneers. His passion for the game started at a young age.
“Just growing up, I was a big fan of basketball. I always played with my brothers, the neighborhood kids in different little league teams here and there coming up as a youngster,” Dorning said. “Really when I got out of the military, I was coaching with my cousin an (Amateur Athletic Union) team the Northern Kentucky Basketball Club. I did that then I got a job coaching a fifth grade team at St. Pius and never really knew where coaching was going to take me. But here I am at Ryle. It’s been a long time coming.”
Dorning has had open gyms since the season ended. He said 20 to 25 kids have been showing up at the workouts.
The Raiders finished 13-20 last year losing 49-33 to Cooper in the 33rd District semifinals. Ryle made the 9th Region Tournament in 2021 losing at eventual state champion Highlands. Ryle graduates five players from that team including four of their top five leading scorers.
The leading returning scorer is junior guard Chris Walker, who averaged nine points per game. Sophomore forward/guard Logan Verax and 6-foot-6-inch sophomore center Noah Kahmann also return.
“I’m excited for the future. I’m happy Coach Dorning is now leading the organization,” Kahmann said. “It’s about hard work, staying in the gym, developing a good mindset with all the players.”
Ryle scored 2,120 points last year averaging for an average of between 70 and 71 points per game. But opponents scored 2,079 averaging between 69 and 70. Dorning said the Raiders would not the biggest team around last year. He noted Ryle’s pace of play led to a lot of long rebounds.
“I think it’s a matter of being more disciplined defensively taking the best shot available and also rebounding the basketball,” Dorning said. “I think all of those things along with pace contribute to the defensive end of the floor.”
Dorning said he preaches three things to the players daily. They are loyalty, being relentless and having passion in not just basketball, but life. Ryle played a fast-paced, three-point shooting style offensively and mostly man-to-man defensively. Dorning said the Raiders want to play a pressure defense.
“Anytime a new coach takes over, you have to put your new prints on the team,” Dorning said. “I’ve got some really good ideas of some things I want to do. But definitely playing a modern brand of basketball where we’re looking to attack the rim, space the floor, finish at the rim and find shooters.”
Dorning teaches Eighth Grade United States History at Gray Middle School. He’s looking forward to working with the youth in the area. He also wants to make sure alumni are welcome back.
“I love this community. My wife and I moved to Union three years ago. Being in the middle school gives me a great opportunity to learn about the young men and their families and really translate coming over here and going to Ryle,” Dorning said. “We’re definitely looking forward to getting out in the community. We definitely want our players to work and help out in the community as much as possible. We want to put fans in the stands. I can’t wait to work with the community and work for them.”
Dorning is familiar with the challenges of the 33rd District. Conner has won it the last three years. Ryle last won a district championship in 2014. He called Cooper Head Coach Tim Sullivan, Conner Head Coach Matt Otte and Boone County Head Coach Nathan Browning some of the best in the area.
“I look forward to the challenge of competing in the 33rd District. I have no doubt our kids will come in and work hard with the mindset of what is needed of a winning tradition,” Dorning said. “I look forward to our kids going in and competing against them. The talent in the 33rd is at a really high level right now. I look forward to not only competing with them, but working with them as well. I know them all really well from having been here the last three years.”
Jon Erickson and Noel Williams will be assistants this upcoming season. He’s interviewing for other positions and will make those decisions in coming weeks.
The first practice will be Oct. 15. The first game is scheduled Nov. 29 at defending 38th District champion Harrison County.