Jerry Reinke was itching to return to coaching and wanted one final opportunity to coach one of his children.
Bonduel High School satisfied the itch, naming him its new girls varsity basketball coach Monday. He replaces Missy Dowden, who left in March after nine seasons.
Reinke served as Dowden’s assistant for two seasons following a 12-year run as the boys varsity coach. He left the boys team in June 2013, citing a desire to watch his three daughters play: Abby at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, Lexi at BHS and Brynn in youth leagues.
“If coaching is in your blood, it is something that can be very difficult to let go of, and I think being able to have a positive effect on high school kids is what made me return,” Reinke said. “I really like to see the girls succeed, and I really like to be a part of that.
“You realize after the fact, that you still have a passion for coaching. It is certainly fun and exciting to be a coach again.”
In 12 seasons as the boys coach, Reinke’s teams produced a 161-113 record and won Central Wisconsin Conference-8 and WIAA Division 3 regional titles.
Reinke’s new squad boasts nine returning lettter-winners, and he plans to pick up where Dowden left off. In nine seasons, she coached the Bears to a 138-71 record and back-to-back Central Wisconsin Conference-8 titles, as well as a regional championship.
“There is a good nucleus coming back and the program is in pretty good shape,” Reinke said. “I am going to try to continue what we have done in the past.”
Assistants Dan Stoltenow and Luka Zischka also will return next season.
Reinke’s return to the sideline gives him an opportunity to go full circle in coaching his children, from son Jack in 2010, to Abby, then Lexi and now 14-year-old Brynn, an incoming sophomore.
“Being able to coach Brynn was certainly part of it,” Reinke said of his return. “It will be a lot of fun and I have enjoyed coaching my kids in the past.”
He also won’t have to miss the games of Abby, 21, who is entering her senior season at Loras, and Lexi, 18, who is launching her career at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee.
“Technology has changed over the years, and most teams live stream their games (online), so I will still be able to see both of their games from home,” he said.
