Ryan Van Zelst will begin his first season as head coach of the Drew University men’s basketball program in 2025-26, becoming the 17th head coach in the program’s 96-year history. He brings extensive NCAA Division III experience to Madison, highlighted by prior head coaching roles at Cabrini University and Penn State Abington, along with significant time as an associate and assistant coach at several respected institutions. Most recently, Van Zelst served as associate head coach at Division II Millersville University during the 2024-25 season, helping guide the Marauders to a 19-12 overall record and a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference semifinal appearance, where they pushed top-seeded Gannon to overtime.
Previously, Van Zelst led Penn State Abington to an 18-9 record in 2022-23, setting a program record with 11 conference wins and advancing to the United East Championship game for the first time in school history. His team ranked first in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 65 points per game. At Cabrini, he steadied the program during a period of institutional transition while improving team academic performance. His seven-year tenure as associate head coach at the University of Scranton included two NCAA Tournament appearances and a Landmark Conference title. A former student-athlete at Albright College, Van Zelst was part of a conference championship team and later earned both his bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in accounting.
