Rick Perez is back.
The three-time PIAA winning basketball coach was approved by the Reading School District board of directors on Wednesday night as the boys head basketball coach.
Perez coached the Red Knights for 12 seasons before resigning in late October 2023.
Upon being introduced as the coach at Wednesday night’s board meeting, Perez started off with: “Can I get a Red Knight? It’s gotta be louder one more time. Can I get a Red Knight? Can I get a Red Knight? I like this one. Can I get a Red Knight?”
During his dozen years at Reading, he won three state championships and set a school record for wins with 281. The Red Knights won five District 3 championships and six Berks County titles.
“I’m just happy to be back home and provide the kids an opportunity that I had, you know, to grow within this system and give them that grace and you know, that safe space where they can, you know, leave their dreams and become their best versions of themselves. So thank you all,” Perez said at the board meeting.
Perez was named the PIAA Class 6A Coach of the Year for the third time by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers following the 2022-23 season, in which the Red Knights won the PIAA Class 6A title, beating Roman Catholic 63-56 in overtime. He also earned the award in 2017 and 2021, the other years Reading High won state titles.
The 2017 title was the school’s first, which came with Lonnie Walker IV, who went on to play in the NBA.
Perez replaces Francis Camara who coached the Red Knights the last two seasons. Reading High did not make the District 3 Class 6A playoffs this past season, finishing with a 13-12 record, 7-5 in the BCIAA.
Perez will be paid $10,944.52 for the upcoming season.
