Myia Ruzek G SO 5'9" Altura, MN / Lewiston-Altura

WOMEN'S COACHING STAFF

Jason Bonde

HEAD COACH JASON BONDE enters his third year as head coach after serving 12 years an assistant under the men’s basketball head coach Brian LaPlante. In two years the Yellowjackets are 40-7, 22-1 in conference play winning the MCAC Southern Division Conference twice. They are two time MCAC Southern Division Champs, were NJCAA Division II Region 13 champions, Region XIIIA and North Plains A District Champions, and finished third at the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in 2022. During this time, Olivia Christianson was named Division II third team All-American in 2021 and Division III first team All-American, MCAC Player of the Year, All-Defensive team. Myia Ruzek and Christianson were named to the MCAC All-Division team. Ravyn Miles and Kandace Sikkink were named to All South MCAC team and Kassidy Broadwater was named to the All-Defensive team. Coach Bonde was named as the MCAC Southern Division Coach of the Year and District Coach of the Year in 2022, and Region 13 Division II Coach of the Year in 2021. Prior to coming to RCTC, Bonde was on staff at Southwest Baptist University, in Bolivar, MO for two years where he also earned his master’s degree in education. The Bearcats were 38-20 in that time and won a conference championship in 2007-08 (14-4) in the tough MIAA. Bonde started his coaching experience after finishing his playing career at Bemidji State University (MN) as a student assistant that saw the Beavers reach a 20-10 mark and their first-ever 20-win season. Bemidji State was 14-2 in conference play that season, earning a berth to the NCAA Division II tournament and leading the nation in three-pointers per game, with 11.7. Bonde has also coached two years at the high school levels, one year at Pine Island, MN and Century High School in Rochester, MN. Jason also serves as the Director of RCTC’s TRIO program. He and his wife Sara have three girls Faith (15), Nora (10), and Alexandra (6).

MEN'S COACHING STAFF

Brian LaPlante

HEAD COACH BRIAN LAPLANTE enters his 27th season as the Head Coach of the Yellowjackets. His overall at RCTC is 512-223 (70% winning percentage). He has had 65 All-Division, 46 All-State, and 22 All-Region players in his tenure. Sixty-six Yellowjackets have went on and competed at various four-year institutions in his 26 seasons as Head Coach. Coach LaPlante was named District 4 Coach of the Year in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2020. His teams have been to the NJCAA National Tournament seven times (2006-fifth place, 2010-National Runner-up, 2011-National Runner-up, 2013 eighth place, 2015 third place and 2016 National Runner-up 2020 National Tournament semi-finals). The Yellowjackets have won the MCAC State title in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2020 under LaPlante.

LaPlante has coached baseball, football, and golf at RCTC and was an assistant coach at Winona State University (WSU)in basketball and baseball prior to coming to RCTC. He has a B.S. in Physical Education from WSU (1995) and a Master’s in Physical Education from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse (2000). He and his wife Kristin have two children, Sean (22) and Kendall (19). He has seven brothers and sisters and 18 nieces and nephews.

ASSISTANT COACH MITCH BAURES enters his first season as Assistant Coach with the Yellowjackets. Baures joins the staff after previous coaching experience at his high school alma mater, Cochrance Fountain City. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Winona State University and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Rochester Community and Technical College.

ASSISTANT TY SLOAN is starting his first season with the Yellowjackets. He has been a high school football coach for four years with Grand Meadow and now in his first season with Fillmore Central. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State University in 2020. He has a brother that lives in Colorado and a sister that lives in Mankato, MN.

ASSISTANT NAYAL “MAC” KOSHWAL begins his first year of coaching at RCTC. He played college basketball at DePaul University and then had stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and various overseas leagues and the NBA developmental league. Mac brings a wealth of experience and relates very well to our players.