The future of Osceola High boys basketball is now in the hands of Coach Ryan Buhain, the Kowboys program announced this week— but he has been a part of its past.
Buhain, 36, has worked with many of OHS’ players as they grew up through his training company, 2 Hands Basketball. Last year he was an assistant on the staff of former coach Steve Mason, who stepped down from the position at the end of the 2025-26 season after some three decades with the program as a coach, assistant and consultant.
“I’ve been around this program for a decade, so I know all about the culture, what’s at stake and the expectations,” Buhain said. “I also know that Osceola gets everybody’s best game, so our teams are going to have to be equipped to play the game disciplined and the right way.”
Buhain is a product of Osceola County, having attended Denn John Middle School and Gateway High, where he played basketball for the legendary Bob Baker. While he went on to graduate from UCF with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports and Exercise Science, he stayed in the game through 2 Hands, where he’s worked with players who have gone on to play professionally.
Mason said Buhain has the traits and support to succeed on the Kowboys sideline.
“He’s a phenomenal skills trainer; NBA teams have hired him and flown him out,” Mason said. “Coach Nate Alexander and I had him coming to our practices for years, and he has been an integral part of our state championships and past success. He is now ready to take the next step as head coach at Osceola.
“He knows the culture, the winning expectations and will continue in our belief in not just making great players, but great students with an emphasis on building character to last a lifetime . He is going to be a success with Osceola basketball.”
Buhain, who said he “gives kudos to Coach Mason for what he’s done and for supporting me,” noted the Kowboys under his coaching will get up and down the court in a hurry.
“I’d like to play fast-paced. I’ve done a lot of work to create some disciplined sets, but if we can get wins by being the best conditioned athletes in the gym and out-athlete our opponents, well I guess that will work, too.”
The FHSAA has made tentative district assignments for the next two seasons, trimming the state from seven to six classes and dropping the Kowboys into an ultracompetitive District 5A-6 with Orlando power Oak Ridge and Buhain’s alma mater, Gateway.
“And the region will be difficult as well, with Edgewater, Evans, Lake Howell, Bartow and Auburndale,” Buhain said. “But I’m excited for the challenge.
