JAMESTOWN — Time management is one of Tim Ranum's strengths.
It has to be given his schedule.
On May 29, Ranum was named the new head coach of the Jamestown High School boys basketball team. He also teaches English at JHS and serves as the head coach for the baseball team.
"I've been playing three sports since I was a little kid and in Carrington I was coaching year-round," Ranum said. "If I ever feel like my focus isn't on the right thing during the season, my job is suffering and it's time for me to step down but with my coaching staffs and having done this before, I don't anticipate that being a problem."
Ranum has been an assistant coach on the Blue Jay boys basketball staff for the past two seasons under head coaches Jason Carroll and Luke Anderson.
"When we moved down here a couple of years ago, the head job was open but I wasn't necessarily ready to jump into that position so I took the assistant coaching job," Ranum said. "Over time I became more comfortable with Jamestown and ready to step into a position like that."
In the past two seasons, the Jays have gone 12-35. Ranum hopes to improve upon the current record and he has the experience to do so.
Ranum was the head boys basketball coach at Carrington High School for seven seasons where he was named District Coach of the Year twice. In 2018, his team won the Region 3 championship. During his time at Carrington, the Cardinals advanced to the Region 3 Championship in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
A long-term coach would be nice for the Blue Jays.
"For our senior crew, this will be their fourth head coach in four years," Ranum said. "My goal is to be around for a long, long time and bring some pride and stability back to the program.
"The nice thing is, I have been involved with the program for the last two years so I have some familiarity with these kids so it's not totally brand new for everybody," Ranum said. "It is something that I am mindful of that these kids have heard a lot of different voices and when they start focusing on one and that message for a couple of years, you'll start seeing some kids kind of unlock and unleash their potential."
Ranum found out he had been named the head coach right before he and the Blue Jay baseball crew left for the WDA Tournament at the end of May.
"I was pretty thrilled," Ranum said. "It's something that you put a lot of thought and energy into. Right away after baseball got done I got to work setting up summer workouts and coordinating schedules to prepare for next year."
In the past 20 days, Ranum has organized some open gym time for Jamestown's hoopers. The open gym sessions are held twice a week at Jamestown High School beginning at 6:15 a.m. As of June 17, Ranum said there is a varying number of athletes at the open gyms but added he expects numbers to firm up as the summer progresses.
"On the basketball court, I think people will see the guys get after it and play with a lot of energy and passion," Ranum said. "I think the kids will represent Jamestown well. They are going to be a high-character, high-value team."