Tom Ryan Profile - OhioStateBuckeyes.com - The Official Athletic site of The Ohio State University

Tom Ryan

	Position: Head Coach
	Alma Mater: Iowa, 1993

It is hard to imagine it has already been six years since head coach Tom Ryan's arrival to campus. Taking over the Buckeye wrestling team in the spring of 2006, Ryan knew expectations were high and right then and there quickly went to work. He began rebuilding a program that was part of a tough Big Ten conference and needing to contend on that scale before making its mark on the national map. Needless to say, Ryan has not failed to deliver. A look at the numbers and facts:

2009 National Coach of the Year
Consecutive NCAA runner-up finishes in 2008 and 2009
16 All-America honorees, the most by an Ohio State head coach in a five-year span
3 NCAA individual champions in Mike Pucillo and J Jaggers (two-time champion)
Coached 2009 Ohio State Male Athlete of the Year J Jaggers
Mentored Ohio State's second four-time All-American Lance Palmer
2 Big Ten Champions in Mike Pucillo (184 in 2008) and Lance Palmer (149 in 2010)
7 have been recognized by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) with prestigious NWCA All-Academic Team accolades - J.D. Bergman, J Jaggers, C.J. Magrum, Corey Morrison (two-time), Mike Pucillo and Colt Sponseller. Sponseller and Ian Paddock were named to the NWCA Division I True-Freshman All-Academic Team as well
24 Academic All-Big Ten selections have been honored
50 have earned Ohio State Scholar-Athlete laurels
Ryan believes community service is crucial to building "Life Champions," and therefore the Buckeyes are active participants in the Second & Seven Foundation reading program that strives to "Tackle Illiteracy" in Central Ohio and routinely volunteers at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the annual Wrestle against Autism Tournament
Presented with a Resolution of Expression from Columbus City Council member A. Troy Miller Sept. 21, 2009 in council chambers to recognize the program's commitment to community service, academics and athletics
Instrumental in filling the seats of St. John Arena as the historic venue was packed with a Buckeye wrestling record 5,341 fans who watched Ohio State beat Michigan, 16-15
Ohio State/Big Ten Record: 63-26/25-15

FILLING IN THE PIECES
For all the successes, whether on the athletics or academic landscape, Ryan and the Buckeyes are still seeking two important pieces to the puzzle - Big Ten and NCAA titles. Ryan and company came close to winning the program's first national crown in 2009, finishing second to Iowa by only 4.5 points. The achievements are definitely worth noting, but Ryan takes no solitude in moral victories. The program has had unprecedented success during Ryan's tenure, but quite frankly it is not enough. Coupled with the fact the Scarlet and Gray has never won an NCAA title, their last Big Ten championship came in 1951.

However, Ryan will also be the first to admit bringing together all the parts for the good of the cause will eventually reward those who buy into the system.

In 2008, proof of just what Ryan brought to the Buckeye wrestling program was witnessed by many as Ohio State became a legitimate contender on the national stage. Backed by three individual finalists, Ohio State compiled 79 points for its first of two runner-up finishes and highest placing in program history.

Also, Ohio State finished with back-to-back 7-1 seasons in the conference in 2009 and 2010, a feat never accomplished until Ryan's arrival.

TOM RYAN, THE STUDENT-ATHLETE
During his collegiate wrestling career, Ryan was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American for Iowa (second in 1991, third in 1992) as a member of the Hawkeyes' 1991 and 1992 national and Big Ten championships teams. He also was a two-time Big Ten champion in 1991 and 1992. Prior to enrolling at Iowa, Ryan wrestled at Syracuse, where he was the 1989 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Champion.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Family: Wife, Lynette; Children, Jordan, Jake, Teague and Mackenzie

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education (Iowa, 1993)

Coaching: Head coach at Hofstra from 1995-2006; seven-time conference coach of the year (Eastern Collegiate Wrestling Association and Colonial Athletic Association); two-time New York State Coach of the Year, led Pride to six consecutive conference titles; recorded a 47-match (46-0-1) conference unbeaten streak in dual action - the nation's longest conference unbeaten streak; was an assistant at Indiana from 1992-1994; reached 150 career wins following 26-13 win over Illinois Feb. 15, 2009.