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Will Ryan is an American basketball coach and the former head coach of the Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball team. Ryan began his college basketball career at Wisconsin–Platteville, where he helped the team win two Division III championships in 1998 and 1999. He then transferred to Milwaukee, where he played his senior season and graduated with a bachelor's degree in educational studies and youth leadership. Ryan has dedicated over two decades to college and youth basketball, fuelled by a passion for developing young athletes. He has served as an assistant coach at North Dakota State under Saul Phillips, helping the team reach the NCAA tournament twice. In 2014, Ryan followed Phillips to Ohio, where he helped the Bobcats finish 81–77 in five seasons. In 2019, he became the head coach at Wheeling University, guiding the team to a 14–13 record. In 2020, Ryan took on the role of head coach at Green Bay, but his tenure there faced challenges, and he was fired in 2023. Ryan is the son of former Wisconsin coach and College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, William Francis Bo Ryan Jr.
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Will Ryan's career as a basketball coach
Will Ryan is an American basketball coach and the former head coach of the Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball team. Ryan is a native of Platteville, Wisconsin, and began his college basketball career at Wisconsin–Platteville, helping the team win two Division III championships in 1998 and 1999. He then transferred to Milwaukee, where he played his senior season under Bruce Pearl and graduated with a bachelor's degree in educational studies and youth leadership in December 2002.
Ryan started his coaching career by serving on his father's staff at Wisconsin as the director of basketball operations and video coordinator from 2002 to 2007. During this time, he also had a stint as the head coach of the Wisconsin Swing AAU club in 2005. He then moved on to become an assistant coach at North Dakota State under Saul Phillips from 2007 to 2014, helping the team reach the NCAA tournament twice. In his final season with the Bison, they won a school-record 26 games and defeated Oklahoma.
In 2014, Ryan followed Phillips to Ohio, where he continued as an assistant coach until 2019. During his time at Ohio, the Bobcats finished 81–77 in five seasons and reached the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational in 2016. In July 2019, Ryan was hired as the head coach of Wheeling University's Cardinals, replacing John Peckinpaugh who had resigned. Despite having only five players on the roster and facing low expectations, Ryan guided the team to a 14–13 record and a fifth-place finish in the conference in his only season.
In June 2020, Ryan became the head coach at Green Bay, replacing Linc Darner. However, his tenure at Green Bay was challenging, and he was fired in January 2023 after a 2–19 start to the season, posting a 15-61 record in two and a half years. Following his dismissal from Green Bay, Ryan took up a role as a high school assistant coach with defending state champion De Pere, where he has been able to coach his sons and spend quality time with them while continuing to impact the game he loves.
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Will Ryan's time at North Dakota State
Will Ryan, a native of Platteville, Wisconsin, began his college basketball career at Wisconsin–Platteville, where he helped the team win two Division III championships in 1998 and 1999. He then transferred to Milwaukee, where he played his senior season under Bruce Pearl and graduated with a bachelor's degree in educational studies and youth leadership in December 2002.
From 2002 to 2007, Ryan served on his father's staff at Wisconsin as the director of basketball operations and video coordinator. He also had a stint as the head coach of the Wisconsin Swing AAU club in 2005. In 2007, Ryan became an assistant coach at North Dakota State under Saul Phillips, a position he held for seven seasons until 2014. During his time at North Dakota State, Ryan helped the team reach the NCAA tournament twice. In his final season with the Bison, they won a school-record 26 games and defeated Oklahoma.
Ryan then followed Phillips to Ohio in 2014, serving as an assistant coach for the Bobcats until 2019. He played a pivotal role in the team's success, helping them finish 81–77 in five seasons and reach the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational in 2016. In May 2019, Ryan was hired as the head coach of Wheeling University's Cardinals. Despite initial predictions, he guided the team to a successful 14–13 record in his only season.
In June 2020, Ryan took on the role of head coach at Green Bay, replacing Linc Darner. However, his tenure at Green Bay faced challenges, and he was fired in January 2023 after a difficult start to the season. Ryan then transitioned to the role of assistant coach at the high school level, working with the De Pere basketball program and spending more time with his sons, who are part of the Redbirds program.
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Will Ryan's time at Wheeling University
Despite the odds, Ryan led the team to a successful season, defying expectations by finishing fifth in the Mountain East Conference with a 14-13 record. This was a remarkable achievement, as the team had been predicted to finish last in the conference. Ryan's leadership and coaching skills shone through, and he was able to guide the team to a winning record and a strong conference standing.
However, Ryan's tenure at Wheeling University was brief, as he accepted a position at Green Bay in June 2020, becoming the new head coach of the Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball team. Ryan's move to Green Bay presented him with new opportunities and challenges, and he embarked on a new chapter in his coaching career.
Ryan's time at Wheeling University demonstrated his ability to build and lead a successful basketball program. Despite inheriting a team with limited resources, he was able to guide them to a winning season and establish a strong foundation for the future. His brief but impressive stint at Wheeling University showcased his coaching prowess and set the stage for his subsequent coaching endeavours.
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Will Ryan's time at UW-Green Bay
Will Ryan was hired as the head coach of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay (UW-Green Bay) men's basketball team in June 2020. He replaced Linc Darner, who was fired after leading the Phoenix to a 17–16 record in the 2019–20 season. Ryan's appointment was considered big news in the region, especially since his father, William Francis "Bo" Ryan Jr., is a former Wisconsin coach and College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
In his first season as head coach, Ryan guided the team to an 8–17 record. He entered his third season in 2022-23, but on January 31, 2023, Ryan was fired after starting the season with a 2–19 record. Overall, he posted a 15-61 record in his two and a half years at UW-Green Bay.
Ryan's tenure at UW-Green Bay was challenging, and he acknowledged that it did not go according to plan. He cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the growth of player movement through the transfer portal as reasons for his struggles. Despite the setbacks, Ryan expressed that he had not lost his love for the game and was grateful for the opportunity.
Following his dismissal from UW-Green Bay, Ryan took on a new role as a high school assistant coach with the defending state champion De Pere. This position allowed him to work with his son, Owen, who was a freshman at De Pere, as well as his other sons, Liam and Callen, who were also in the Redbirds program. Ryan shared his thoughts on the new role, expressing his enjoyment of coaching at the high school level and spending quality time with his sons.
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Will Ryan's personal life and family
Will Ryan, born William Francis Ryan III, is a native of Platteville, Wisconsin. He was born on July 8, 1978, and began his college basketball career at Wisconsin–Platteville, where he helped the team win two Division III championships in 1998 and 1999. Ryan is the son of former Wisconsin coach and College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, William Francis "Bo" Ryan Jr.
Ryan graduated from Milwaukee in December 2002 with a bachelor's degree in educational studies and youth leadership. He served on his father's staff at Wisconsin as the director of basketball operations and video coordinator from 2002 to 2007. During this time, he also took on the role of head coach for the Wisconsin Swing AAU club in 2005. Ryan's career has included various assistant and head coach positions at different colleges. He was an assistant coach at North Dakota State under Saul Phillips from 2007 to 2014, helping the team reach the NCAA tournament twice.
Ryan's personal life includes his wife, Emily, who is a native of Fox Valley. Unfortunately, there is limited information available specifically on Ryan's personal life and family beyond his basketball career and his relationship with his father and wife.
In addition to the basketball coach, there are a few other notable figures named Will Ryan. One was an American voice actor, musician, and singer who passed away in 2021. This Will Ryan was known for his voice work in "The Land Before Time," "Adventures in Odyssey," and "The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin." He also created the character Elmo Aardvark and was involved in music, including performances with his partner, Phil Baron, as Willio and Phillio.
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Frequently asked questions
William Francis Ryan III is an American basketball coach. He is the former head coach of the Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball team.
Ryan has over two decades of experience in college basketball as a player and coach. He began his college basketball career at Wisconsin–Platteville, winning two Division III championships in 1998 and 1999. He then transferred to Milwaukee, where he played his senior season under Bruce Pearl and graduated with a bachelor's degree in educational studies and youth leadership.
Ryan has served as an assistant or head coach for various teams, including Wisconsin, North Dakota State, Ohio, Wheeling University, Green Bay, and De Pere High School.
Ryan's coaching record varies across his tenure with different teams. At North Dakota State, he helped the team reach the NCAA tournament twice. As the head coach of Green Bay, he posted a 15-61 record in two and a half years. In his only season at Wheeling University, he guided the team to a 14–13 record.
Yes, Will Ryan is the son of former Wisconsin coach and College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, William Francis "Bo" Ryan Jr.
