By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Ronnie Byrd was something of a boaster and a bragger.

Not about himself, mind you.

Although he was a man who could count a staggering number of accomplishments and accolades throughout his life, he wasn’t one to do so loudly; his boasting, his bragging, was always to lift the standing of those around him, to point out their abilities, to let others know of the wonders they were capable of.

That especially was true of his players.

“You’d think Dad was crazy the way he’d talk about players,” said Riverside coach Timmy Byrd Wednesday, days after the passing of his father. “And the truth was, if you didn’t agree with him, if you didn’t see what he saw in those guys, he’d think you were.”

The younger Byrd has a unique relationship with his father. There are many who could count a man as his father and his coach, but the Byrds were able to take it a step further: as Timmy was at the forefront of building a powerhouse basketball program, first at Reserve Christian, then at Riverside, his father was there every step of the way as his assistant coach. He said that, aside from his college days, he’s seen his father “virtually every day”

“He was my security blanket,” said Byrd. “He’s largely responsible for this, for making it all possible. He was responsible for so many things.

The elder Byrd brought not just a wealth of experience to the table, but the knowledge of what it took to be successful. He was the recreation supervisor for Jefferson Parish and led Bright Playground to prominence. He kickstarted the Biddy Basketball program in Covington and coached at River Forest Academy, Ridgewood and East St. John with strong runs at each. As a prep athlete at Lafayette High, he was an All-State football, basketball and baseball selection. He was recruited by the legendary Adolph Rupp at Kentucky before electing to sign with the University of Miami.

“Everything he built from scratch really ended up being ultra-successful,” said Byrd. “He really understood what it took to be successful.”

He said that his father served as another pair of eyes, as a sounding board, for him as both manned the sideline for Reserve Christian and then Riverside.

“To have him as an assistant, with such a wealth of knowledge … he was an incredible lift,” said Byrd. “If there was a question in my mind, he would either validate my thinking, or he’d disagree and say, ‘No, I think you need to do it this way.’ It made so many decisions easier.

“I’ve got a couple of very good assistant coaches that bring their own skills to the table in Greg Coleman and Donald Thomas. But it’s not 77 years of wisdom. The three of us will have to work together to try and match that wisdom in terms of basketball, and also life issues.”

Byrd said that his father had a “true knack” for spotting a player’s strengths and weaknesses in exceptionally quick

It was an effective system; that much couldn’t be argued. With the Byrds at the helm, Reserve Christian and Riverside combined for 12 Top 28 appearances and nine state titles.

Neither school could count itself among those boasting the truly relevant basketball programs in the state before their arrival; Riverside, most recently, achieved a wealth of “firsts” in the duo’s first year at the school in 2009, including first top-seed, first district title, first trip to the Top 28 and first state championship. They’d repeat all feats in 2010.

“It makes it really special,” said Byrd. “We were able to come to programs and build it from being an after thought to something recognized not just statewide, but nationally as a success. We’re in the South, where football is king, in a state where football is king, in a parish where football is king. To do it in two different places, it’s something I’m proud of and I know that Dad was proud of. And I know he’s proud of all of the players that made it possible.”

He was an easy man to find, and not just at basketball games. He was a staple at football games and volleyball matches and was ever popular among the athletes at the school.

“He never met a stranger,” said Byrd. “There was just a sweetness about him, an outgoing nature, and he had an ability to speak to anyone, from all walks of life. I know he loved this place, and he loved Reserve Christian.”

In terms of what he’s learned from his father, Byrd said that three things stood out: the value of unselfishness, the importance of having a relationship with God, and finally his competitive nature.

“He taught me to be passionate in what I do, to give 100 percent effort in all things,” he said.

Ten days ago, Timmy Byrd got to break some exciting news to him: for the first time in the history of Riverside, or of any program the Byrds have overseen, it was ranked in the national top 20 as per ESPN. Riverside was ranked 18th in the ESPN High School-Powerade Fab 50.

A day later, Ronnie Byrd passed away. But not before, fittingly, he saw the program that he and his son built be cemented in national prominence.

While Byrd notes that the goal has never been to be ranked nationally, but simply for each player and team to maximize their potential … in either case, mission accomplished.

“To be able to coach with your father, who is also your best friend, it’s something very rare and special. It’s something money can’t buy,” Byrd said.