Beloved Arizona high school basketball coach and mentor Ryan Blassingame suddenly died on Sunday, July 12. He was 44.
Blassingame coached basketball at Tolleson High School in 2024, stepping in when the school was “in a pinch,” according to the Arizona Republic. He was expected to help coach basketball this upcoming season at Buckeye Verrado High School in Buckeye, Arizona, former Tolleson head football coach, Rich Wellbrock, told the outlet.
Wellbrock refused to believe the news when he was notified of Blassingame’s death.
“You wouldn’t think anybody would joke, but when the first phone call came in, I was like, ‘OK, there’s no way,'” Wellbrock told the Republic. “I rushed to the hospital, thinking somebody has jumped the gun. There’s no way. He’s 44 years old. Nope. He had passed.”
Blassingame’s cause of death has not been publicly revealed at the time of publication.
Wellbrock, who stepped down as coach at the end of last season, called Blassingame’s death “a massive shock,” noting that the two talked on the phone for 45 minutes last week.
“His ripple effect will last for years and years,” Wellbrock said. “He was wanting the best for his kids and other people’s kids, too. He spoke to other fathers with elite recruits, offering advice. Just trying to help his kid, too, getting workouts. Rico worked out with the who’s who of people that were here.”
He added, “Ryan was so easy to talk to. He could walk in a room and make four friends before you even got a chance to introduce yourself.”
Ryan’s youngest son, Rico, is currently a freshman wide receiver at the University of Minnesota. His oldest son, Tre, is a graduate basketball guard at William & Mary. Ryan and his wife, Beverly, also share daughter Tooda, a middle school student.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected loss of Ryan Blassingame,” a GoFundMe arranged in Blassingame’s honor reads. “Ryan was so much more than a husband, father, brother, uncle, and basketball coach. He was the kind of person who made every room brighter the moment he walked into it. His infectious laugh, quick wit, and genuine heart had a way of making everyone feel seen and welcomed.”
The fundraiser adds, “Ryan dedicated his life to the people he loved. Whether he was coaching on the basketball court, spending time with his family, or encouraging a friend, he poured his whole heart into everything he did. The impact he made on his players, friends, family, and community will be felt for generations. As his loved ones navigate this unimaginable loss, we are asking for your support. Every donation, no matter the amount, will help ease the financial burden and allow Beverly, Tre, Rico, and Tooda to focus on grieving, healing, and honoring his incredible life and legacy.”
The GoFundMe raised over $27,000 at the time of publication.
