Rick Rosinski, a 38‑year veteran of coaching in Wisconsin’s public school system, was announced this week as the new boys basketball coach at Shawano, taking over from the school’s recent appointment of Steven Baker. His departure from Green Bay Preble earlier this year followed a forced resignation that drew strong pushback from players and parents, who signed a petition exceeding 100 signatures in his support.
Although Rosinski had expressed doubts about returning to the sidelines, a productive meeting with Shawano athletic director Kayla Brendemuehl convinced him that the opportunity aligned with his goals. Former Preble star Tony Bennett also urged the coach to accept the role, adding his endorsement to the growing chorus of backing.
The Hawks will retain six of their top seven players from last season, including senior scorers Jackson Nordin and Will Verkuilen, both of whom earned honorable‑mention all‑conference recognition. With Jim Hayes, a longtime assistant and Rosinski’s trusted partner, joining the staff, the new coaching duo brings continuity and experience to the program.
Rosinski’s 20‑year tenure at Green Bay East and three seasons at Preble gave him a deep familiarity with the region’s talent pipeline, but his recent frustration over what he described as a disconnect between athletics and district administration prompted his exit. He retired from teaching before the 2022‑23 season for family reasons and later served as a volunteer coach, keeping his involvement in the sport alive.
Preble named Steven Baker as Rosinski’s replacement after a brief interview process in early June, signaling a shift in direction for the program. As Rosinski steps into his new role at Shawano, he hopes to translate the support he received from the community into on‑court success, aiming to elevate the Hawks’ performance in the upcoming season.