Brian Ryczkowski steps down as Ashwaubenon football coach after six playoff appearances
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
When Ashwaubenon athletic director Nick Senger hired Brian Ryczkowski as the school’s football coach in January 2019, he was convinced it likely would be the last time he’d have to do a coaching search for the program.
Plans sometimes change.
Ryczkowski informed the school and his players Nov. 12 that he is stepping down after seven seasons with the Jaguars. He will remain in his position as a math teacher.
“I’d like to thank the school district of Ashwaubenon, the players, the parents, the coaches, for the opportunity to be the head football coach here at Ashwaubenon for the last seven years,” said Ryczkowski, whose team went 4-6 this season and lost to New Richmond in the opening round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs. “Being a head football coach is a great opportunity. It takes a lot of time and effort, and I wasn’t willing to cut any corners on either of those.
“I have a team at school that I was in charge of, and a team at home. It’s hard to do a great job with both of those teams. Someone else is going to get an opportunity to run the team here at school.”
The Jaguars made the WIAA playoffs in six of Ryczkowski’s seven seasons.
The postseason appearances came despite always having the smallest, or one of the smallest, enrollments of the eight schools in the Fox River Classic Conference-North.
Ashwaubenon went 7-3 in Ryczkowski’s first season, which was the only year above .500 during his tenure.
But the Jaguars finished 5-5 in 2024 and started this season 2-1 before losing four straight games. They recovered by beating Green Bay Southwest and Green Bay Preble in the final two games to secure a playoff berth.
“The whole goal of coaching is the player and their experience and trying to get them to leave the program better than they came in,” Ryczkowski said. “That was my goal for every senior class. That was the goal of us as coaches, to leave the program better than we found it.
“Hopefully, I did that in the last seven years. Tried to raise the bar every year. It wasn’t always about wins and losses. We coined the phrase, ‘Champions in the community, in the classroom and on the field.’ Doing things the right way, all the time, no matter where you are.”
Senger said he asked Ryczkowski to give himself more time before stepping away, that it was still fresh off the season. But Ryczkowski told him he was ready and made the decision for himself and his family.
“I was totally shocked and surprised that Coach Ryczkowski decided to step down,” Senger said. “Totally understand. People with young families and young coaches and the challenges they face.
“Want to certainly thank Brian for his effort and his time and his commitment. He gave football at Ashwaubenon 110%. He gave the kids a great experience. At the end of the day, we want kids to become better student-athletes, better people, and I’m confident that every kid he coached got that experience and he was able to provide that.”
Senger has no timetable to name a new coach, but it doesn’t appear like there will be any hire in the immediate future.
“In the coming months we will put a committee together and try to find another kid magnet,” he said. “A coach that is ready to take a program, lead a program, continue to build a program.”
What does the football future hold for Brian Ryczkowski?
Ryczkowski spent six seasons at Little Chute before leaving for Ashwaubenon, leading the Mustangs to a 53-19 record and a playoff berth each year. It included a state runner-up finish in D4 in 2014.
The program won 10 or more games three times under Ryczkowski, who was an assistant coach at Big Foot before starting his tenure at Little Chute.
Ryczkowski is a 2003 Bay Port graduate who was a backup quarterback for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
As a junior in 2006, he appeared in eight games for the Warhawks, completing 26 of 52 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns. His team won the NCAA Division III national championship his senior year.
Football has been a big part of his life.
Is there a possibility he someday will return to the sideline?
“I’m not sure what’s next,” Ryczkowski said. “I know I’m an energetic guy. I have a beautiful wife at home and four beautiful daughters. They mean the world to me. I’m a high school math teacher, and I take a lot of pride in that occupation.
“Right now, I’m going to exhale. I’m 40 years old, so we will see what the next 40 years holds for me. Football is a great game. It’s the ultimate team sport. Looking forward to whatever is next.”
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ashwaubenon football coach Brian Ryczkowski steps down
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos