Jimmy Ryan is an assistant coach for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s lacrosse program, where he serves as the team’s defensive coordinator. Originally joining the staff in 2017, Ryan earned a promotion to full-time assistant coach ahead of the 2020–21 season after previously serving as volunteer assistant coach and director of operations. Since assuming leadership of the defense, he has played a key role in one of the most successful stretches in program history, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022, highlighted by a Final Four run in 2022 and a quarterfinal appearance in 2021.
Ryan’s defensive units have consistently ranked among the nation’s best. In 2025, Rutgers ranked sixth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 8.88 goals per game, the program’s best mark in more than a decade. His defenses have produced numerous All-Americans and conference award winners, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-American goalkeeper Cardin Stoller, as well as multiple All-American defenders and specialists across recent seasons. Prior to Rutgers, Ryan coached at Western New England University and Williams College, gaining experience on both sides of the ball as well as in video coordination. A native of Bethesda, Maryland, Ryan was a four-year letterwinner at Ithaca College, where he served as team captain and earned All-Empire 8 honors before graduating in 2015 with a degree in business administration.
