WUSTL Football Promotes Jim Ryan to Defensive Coordinator

St. Louis, Mo., January 19, 2012 – Washington University in St. Louis head football coach Larry Kindbom announced on Thursday that special teams coordinator Jim Ryan has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Ryan replaces Brian Allen, who will remain on staff as a defensive coach.

“Jim Ryan is an outstanding young football coach and strong family man. He has brought experience and energy to Washington University when we hired him three years ago, and has a strong depth of football knowledge,” said Kindbom, who is 143-87 (.623) in 23 seasons at Washington University. “He will be surrounded by an outstanding defensive staff in former defensive coordinator Brian Allen, Kerman Mason, Sam Horrell, and Michael Marsh.”

Ryan just completed his fourth season on the Danforth Campus, and second as special teams coordinator. He has also served as linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator. In his first season as the special teams coordinator in 2010, the Bears' punt unit led the University Athletic Association (UAA) and was second in NCAA Division III with a 37.78 average. In 2011, the Bears were second in the UAA and 31st in Division III (34.08).

Ryan previously spent five seasons as defensive coordinator at Illinois College (2003-08) and one season as linebacker coach and defensive coordinator at Colorado College in 2002. He was also a graduate assistant coach at Delta State University in 2001 and University of North Alabama (2002), and defensive line coach at Fort Lewis College (2000-01).

Ryan is a 2000 graduate of Colorado State University – Pueblo with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He received his master’s degree in sports business administration from University of Central Missouri in 2011. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Washington University finished the 2011 season with a 6-4 overall record and placed second in the University Athletic Association (UAA) with a 2-1 record. The Bears open the 2012 season against three-time defending NCAA Division III national champion University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Friday, Aug. 31, at 8:30 p.m.