Citing health concerns, Ken Ricker stepped down as Jamestown CC’s women’s basketball coach Monday. P-J file photo

Jamestown Community College is actively looking for a women’s basketball coach.

Citing health concerns, Ken Ricker, who took over the program in March 2020, has resigned effective immediately.

The school announced the resignation on its website Monday.

Not quite a year ago, Ricker suffered a serious back injury. By the time the Jayhawks’ season began, he was on the bench, but the travel became increasingly difficult, requiring that he step down.

“When I took the job in March of last year, I was so excited to return where I first started coaching,” Ricker said last night. “My accident in August changed everything. Even this year, in retrospect, I probably should have resigned when it happened. … Obviously, I was hoping things would get better, but the rides were awful for me.”

Ricker said he had a procedure performed on his back three weeks ago, but it didn’t alleviate the problem.

“Obviously, it’s very, very hard,” Ricker said. “We return Hannah Hicks, who is playing in the NJCAA Top 40 at the end of July, and a couple of girls from Dunkirk I’ve spent the last three years with. I had difficult conversations with them (so) it’s really difficult to walk away.

“On a positive note for JCC, we do have a lot of talent coming in. I’m sure they’ll be able to find someone better than me.”

“We wish Ken all the best,” said George Sisson, Jamestown CC’s director of athletics in a statement. “We hope that he continues his recovery from his injury last summer and wish him the best in his future coaching endeavors.”

The Jayhawks posted a 3-8 record in a season shortened by COVID-19. Highlighting the campaign was their first win against Niagara County CC since 2017-2018, recording a 119-111 overtime victory.

Ultimately, Jamestown CC lost to the Thunderwolves in the NJCAA Region 3 championship game.

“I can’t speak more highly of how George and (assistant director of athletics) Ashley Lund took care of us,” Ricker said. “We didn’t have one pause due to COVID. They fought for those kids all year. It was an incredibly positive experience.”

Ricker said he hopes to coach at the high school level where the travel “will be a little less.”

“I love JCC and I’ll be their biggest fan, this year and beyond,” he said.