Hofstra’s wrestling coach for 11 years from 1995 to 2006, Tom Ryan revitalized the Pride’s program during his highly-successful tenure.
He compiled a dual meet record of 109-82-2 over his 11 seasons and ranks second on Hofstra’s all-time wins list. An eight-time conference coach of the year, Ryan won six consecutive conference titles between 2001 and 2006, with one East Coast Wrestling Association title and five Colonial Athletic Association championships. The Pride also had a 47-match league unbeaten streak (46-0-1) over those six seasons.
He coached 65 NCAA qualifiers and produced 11 All-America honorees, including Hofstra Athletics Hall of Famers Jon Masa (three times) and Eric Schmiesing (twice). He also coached Chris Weidman, Roman Fleszar (twice), Mike Patrovich, and Chris Skretkowicz (twice) to spots on the NCAA medal stand. As a team, Hofstra placed in the top 25 at the NCAA Championships six times, including an 11th-place showing in 2006 as the Pride had three All-Americans.
Ryan was also a two-time New York State Coach of the Year and led Hofstra to two New York State championships and two runner-up finishes.
Ryan has coached at The Ohio State University since 2007 and has led the Buckeyes to the 2015 National Championship and five NCAA runner-up finishes. He owns a career record of 307-148-2.
A Long Island native, Ryan was a three-time All-Nassau County and All-New York State wrestler at Wantagh High School. After graduating from Wantagh, Ryan wrestled
for two years at Syracuse University, where he was the 1989 EIWA champion. He then transferred to the University of Iowa, where he wrestled for legendary coach Dan Gable. At Iowa, Ryan was a two-time Big Ten champion and a two-time NCAA All-American, taking second in the 1991 and third in 1992.
Ryan and his wife, Lynette, have four children.
