WINDSOR, Ont. - Jimmy Parsons has chosen to step down from his post as the St. Clair College men's basketball head coach to focus on his young and growing family as well as his professional career. Parsons leaves the program after taking over the team midway through the 2015-16 campaign and led the Saints to the playoffs in each of the past two seasons.
Taking over the head coach position effective immediately will be longtime assistant coach Ricardo Tate. Fellow assistant coach Brendon Seguin will also remain as part of Tate's staff for next season but Reid Innes has also decided to move away from the Saints basketball program and focus on his young family.
Said Parsons, "I am grateful to St. Clair College for the opportunity and want to thank the entire athletic department staff for their support over the last two years. It is a great place to be and I wish them the best of luck in the future. This was a difficult decision for me as St. Clair will always hold a special place in my life."
Parsons continued, "Ricardo is the perfect person for the job and will make for a smooth transition. He has been with the program for several years and can pick up where we left off to keep the train moving in the right direction."
Tate has been part of the coaching staff in each of the last six seasons helping guide them to three playoff appearances. In addition to working with the college program he has been a lead organizer for the Windsor Men's Basketball League the last seven years while providing youth camp instruction the past two years. Tate has also made himself available for one-on-one training with athletes of all levels who are looking to improve their fundamentals. He is further rooted in the Windsor basketball community by coaching his daughter's atom travel basketball team and the Windsor Pinoy men's team.
Tate's playing career included a WECSSAA title for W.F Herman Secondary School where he was named a second team All-City selection for the Green Griffins. He was also chosen as a tournament all-star in W.D Lowe Trojan Tip-Off Classic tournament in his Grade 12 season. After high school he competed for St. Clair in the 2003-04 season. In 2009, Tate earned a professional tryout in Germany and was selected to play in that camp's all-star game.
"Ricardo takes his role very seriously and is very passionate about the game. He enjoys challenging his players and watching them develop their skills. Ricardo will be able to continue to build on the positive culture that Jimmy put in place. I have no doubt that Ricardo will put a hard working team on the court for the Saints," said St. Clair College Director of College Recreational Services Christina Gatto.
Source: St. Clair College