Author: Will Simmonds

Published: April 12, 2023 at 3:27pm

The game of basketball is a complicated game, but for one man the game of basketball is a lifestyle. Rick Risinger began his coaching career in 2003, as an assistant coach for Heritage Christian High School. In 2005, After the passing of Mark “Doc” Richards, Risinger took over as the head coach for the Eagles. Unlike many, Risinger made an instant impact in the women’s basketball program at Heritage Christian, but this was never the plan. Risinger explained “When I took the program over, I had no intentions of coaching,” he said. “I got into the coaching and had no aspirations, once my daughters quit playing AAU basketball, to ever coach again.” Despite his doubt to ever coach, he quickly stood out as one of the most intelligent coaches around. Risinger made everything that was hard look easy. Ultimately, leading to his 330 wins and 75 losses at Heritage Christian. In his 15 years with the Eagles, Risinger won 13 Sectional titles, 10 Regional titles, 7- Semi-State titles and 7 IHSAA State Championships. Risinger later on retired in 2020 and had no plans to return to coaching. Risinger is now known by many as one of the greatest Women’s’ High School basketball coaches to ever step foot on the hardwood. Today, at the age of 72, Risinger plans to make his head coaching return at Carmel High School; the school announced via Twitter. In 2022-2023, the Lady Hounds had an overall record of 4-19, and were knocked out by Fishers High School in the first round of Sectionals. Risinger looks to turn that around and bring a second state championship to the Carmel Women’s Basketball program!