Saddled with one of the worst teams in the Horizon League at 2-19, Green Bay Phoenix fire Will Ryan before season ends

Will Ryan

1/24/2023

GREEN BAY, Wis. — UW-Green Bay Director of Athletics Josh Moon announced today that Phoenix Men’s Basketball Coach Will Ryan has been relieved of his coaching duties, effective immediately. Assistant Coach Freddie Owens has been named interim head coach and will lead the team through the remainder of the 2022-2023 season.

“I want to sincerely thank Will Ryan and his family for their contributions to the men’s basketball program these past three seasons,” Moon said. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Ryan completes his head coaching career for the Phoenix with a 15-61 overall record. He joined UW-Green Bay in 2020 following one season at Wheeling University in West Virginia. Prior to his year at Wheeling, Ryan was the head assistant coach at Ohio University and an assistant coach at North Dakota State University for seven seasons.

“UW-Green Bay is committed to continuing its legacy as an outstanding Division I athletics program in the future,” Moon said, “and Phoenix men’s basketball needs to help lead the way as we work to elevate all of our programs and be a shining light for this region and beyond.”

The University will launch a national search for a new head coach for the men’s basketball program immediately. Parker Executive Search has been retained to assist with the search.  

About Green Bay Phoenix Men’s Basketball
“In it’s 53rd year, Green Bay Basketball has a rich tradition and history that includes over 920 wins, five NCAA Division I Tournament Appearances, and four conference championships. The Phoenix has had six All-Americans, amassed 22, 20+ win seasons, sent five players to the NBA, and garnered 16 coach of the year awards. Before the transition to Division I in 1981-82, Green Bay appeared in six NCAA Division II Tournaments, including three final four appearances from 1977-1981.”

About UW-Green Bay
Established in 1965, UW-Green Bay is a public institution serving more than 9,600 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students and 95,000 continuing education learners each year. We educate students from pre- college through retirement and offer 200+ degrees, programs and certificates. UW-Green Bay graduates are resilient, inclusive, sustaining and engaged members of their communities, ready to rise to fearlessly face challenges, solve problems and embrace diverse ideas and people. With four campus locations, the University welcomes students from every corner of the world. In 2021, UW-Green Bay was the fastest-growing UW school in Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.

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