Tyler Newton is a highly respected basketball coach, educator, entrepreneur, and youth development leader with more than a decade of experience building championship programs and mentoring student-athletes. As the founder and director of Nor Cal Ryze, Tyler is committed to creating opportunities for young athletes through elite basketball training, mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement.

Tyler holds two master’s degrees from Concordia University Irvine, including a Master of Arts in Athletic Administration and Coaching and a Master of Science in Exercise Science. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of the Pacific. His educational background allows him to combine leadership, athletic performance, sports science, and mentorship to help athletes succeed both on and off the court.

A three-time CCCAA Coach of the Year, Tyler has established himself as one of California’s premier basketball coaches, leading programs at Butte College and College of the Sequoias to conference championships, state playoff runs, and national recognition. Over his collegiate coaching career, he has compiled more than 160 career victories while helping countless student-athletes continue their academic and athletic careers at four-year universities.

Before transitioning into coaching and leadership, Tyler played professional basketball internationally from 2005–2011 in Japan, France, Austria, Australia, and Switzerland, earning multiple all-star honors along the way. He was inducted into both the University of the Pacific Hall of Fame and the Shasta College Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments and impact on the game.

Tyler and his beautiful wife Teresa are the proud parents of 4 sons, Parker, Camden, Conner, and Nash. They reside in Chico and have been a loyal and devoted part of the Chico community for over 20 years.

For Coach Matt, athletics have never been a hobby. They've been a way of life.

Raised in a family deeply rooted in sports and performance, Matthew's passion for athletic development began at an early age. He was raised in an environment where competition, discipline, and physical development were simply part of everyday life. 

Matthew attended Arcata High School, where he competed in both basketball and baseball before continuing his basketball career at Shasta College. His dedication and work ethic earned him the opportunity to join the basketball program at NCAA Division I Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. 

Since the age of 16, Matthew has been coaching basketball and providing individual skill development lessons to athletes of all ages. By 18, he had expanded his passion into strength and conditioning, helping athletes improve their performance, movement quality, athleticism, and confidence both on and off the court.

His coaching philosophy is built on a simple belief: Success is earned, not given, and discipline will always outperform motivation. 

Matthew's greatest pride is being a father to his two children, Gunnar and Baylar. When he's not in the gym, you'll likely find him spending time with his kids at a park, by a pool, or anywhere they can be active together. Family, fitness, and youth development remain at the center of everything he does. If given the choice between a weight room and a basketball court, Matthew would happily spend every day of his life in both, as long as his kids are there!

Coach Fred brings a lifetime of basketball experience, leadership, and player development to Nor Cal Ryze. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Fred's basketball journey began competing with the renowned Atlanta Celtics AAU program before continuing his career at Cedar Grove High School, where he helped contribute to a state championship culture. He later played at Lassen College, earning All-League honors and helping lead his team to a State Runner-Up finish, while also drawing recruiting interest from California State University, Chico. Fred received his BS in Exercise Physiology from Chico State.

With more than 20 years of player development experience and over a decade of coaching experience, Fred has dedicated his life to helping athletes maximize their potential both on and off the court. Throughout his coaching career, he has worked with numerous programs across Northern California, building a reputation for developing fundamentally sound, confident, and highly competitive players.

In 2018, Fred founded the Chico Avengers Basketball Program, creating opportunities for local athletes to compete, grow, and pursue their basketball goals at a higher level. His commitment to youth development, community involvement, and creating pathways for success has impacted countless athletes and families throughout the region.

Fred specializes in skill development, ball handling, footwork, defensive concepts, basketball IQ, and game-ready decision making. His passion for teaching and ability to connect with athletes of all ages have made him one of the most respected basketball trainers in the Chico area.

Fred has been a part of the Chico community since 2002. Fred and his wife Jessica have a beautiful blended family of 8 kids aged 8 months up to 26 years old. The entire family has their roots so far into basketball that all of their free time is spent around the game, watching, playing, training, coaching, eating, breathing and sleeping. If it involves basketball, the Blue family is in!

“Coach AJ” has been a well-respected coach in the Chico area for more than 15 years. A former high school athlete in both basketball and baseball, Coach AJ eventually moved to California to play baseball for Sierra College. Sadly an arm injury ended his playing time but ultimately led him to Chico where his love of coaching could flourish. 

A former basketball coach for Marsh Junior High, Coach AJ posted a 31-5 record in his final year and led his team to victory in the prestigious Crescent City Tournament. For three consecutive years, he has been selected as the All-Star coach by his peers for Westside Little League, an honor that included back-to-back-to-back district championships. In his early days, he helped coach baseball at Hamilton City High and led the team to back-to-back section championships. 

He is committed to helping youth fulfill their dreams post high school in both athletics and academics.

In his personal life, AJ is a father to Colton and Brody. He and his wife, Samantha, love traveling, outdoor adventures and memory-making with their boys. 

Nick Bonacich, or Coach Nick, is a Chico Native who attended and played basketball at Bidwell Jr. High and Pleasant Valley High School.  After graduating he began coaching basketball at the high school,  junior high, and AAU level. He graduated Chico State with an undergrad in Social Studies and a Masters in Education and is currently a 5th grade teacher in Chico.  Most recently Coach Nick coached 6th grade boys basketball at Bidwell Jr. High and Baseball All Stars at Westside Little League. 

He enjoys coaching his son Roman and Daughter Reese in many of their sports including basketball, baseball, and flag football.  Nick and his wife Tiffini love spending time with their family and friends within the community.