Kevin Ryan returns to sidelines as men's head basketball coach after resigning one year ago. During his absence, the Lions ended the 2018/19 with an unflattering 5-19 record with a promising freshman-heavy RV side.
Under Ryan, the Lions as a team ranked in the top 20 nationally in FT made per game, FT attempted per game, defensive rebounds per game, opponents FG% in the 2016/17 season and ranked in the top 20 nationally in assists per game, rebounds per game and free throws attempted per game the year after. They were also top 10 nationally in FT made per game, defensive rebounds per game and blocks per game.
The Lions won 100 games over a 6-year span with Ryan, including 5 consecutive trips to the Region 19 playoffs. In 2017-2018 the Lions won 22 games and standout Guard Rick’Keem Mixson was named Region 19 player of the year as well as 3rd team NJCAA All-American. Mixson was the 4th Region 19 Player of the Year and 4th NJCAA All American under Ryan’s tenure. Coach Ryan led RVCC to a historic run in 2013-2014 when the Lions won 20 games and were the GSAC conference champions and Region 19 finalist. During this run, the Lions also broke the NJCAA Division 2 top 20 for the first time in school history. Coach Ryan was named GSAC Coach of the Year and Marvin Crawford was named 1st team NJCAA All American. During Ryan’s last 3 years he led the Lions to a 58-30 record and 3 straight trips to the region semifinals. Overall Coach Ryan has mentored over 25 former players who moved on to play at the 4-year level.
“RVCC is a special place to me and I believe in the many opportunities that we offer on campus. I have personally witnessed many success stories in my time here. I want to thank George Eversmann for entrusting me with the program again. My goal is to get us back to competing with the upper echelon of the region while graduating our players and hopefully moving onto to compete at the 4-year level.”