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For the last 27 years, Ryan has been a head coach in the state of Wisconsin.
Overall, he has spanned five decades, including his tour of duty as a Badger assistant.
Whether he was coaching at UW-Platteville, UW- Milwaukee or UW-Madison …
Whether he was coaching in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s or through the turn of the century …
Ryan has continued to coach basketball for reasons beyond rewards and recognition.
“I still have more lives to influence,” said the 63-year-old Ryan. “I still think that I can help players. As soon as they stop listening, I’m done coaching, that’s it.
“But if I’ve got guys who are willing to listen, who have the work ethic, who play together …”
If he has all those pieces, he will have the makings of a team, a Ryan-coached team.
You could put those words on a hall of fame plaque. Maybe somebody already has.
He has been honored as a player: the Chester (Pa.) and Wilkes College halls of fame.
He has been honored as a coach: the Ashton (Pa.) and Delaware County halls of fame.
With one of the top career winning percentages (.763) of any coach with his experience, the list is just beginning to grow; an impressive feat considering he’s still an active coach.
On Saturday, Ryan will go into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
“It means so much,” he said of the WBCA honor, “from the standpoint of coming to the state of Wisconsin as a 28-year-old and the fact that I’ve stayed here and coached every year here.
“It’s a tremendous feeling to know that you can basically be in one place — the state of Wisconsin — and have all those kinds of relationships with so many generations of players.”
The family theme resonates with Ryan, especially whenever a former player sends his son to Ryan’s summer camp. “I’ve even recruited some of their kids,” he said.
The WBCA recognition serves as a confirmation, too. “The fact that they feel what we’ve brought to the table is good for basketball in the state,” Ryan said. “We’re very proud of that.”
Ryan started rattling off names of some high school coaches, Hall of Famers, who influenced him: Neenah’s Ron Einerson, Madison La Follette’s Pete Olson, Cuba City’s Jerry Petitgoue.
He also named some coaching adversaries from the Wisconsin State University Conference: Eau Claire’s Ken Anderson, Stevens Point’s Dick Bennett, Whitewater’s Dave VanderMeulen.
“I’ve learned things from every level of coaching in the state,” Ryan emphasized.
Knowing that he couldn’t drive all the way to the rim without upsetting someone if he didn’t mention them by name, he settled for a pull-up jumper. “I’m stopping there,” he said.
Actually, it doesn’t stop there.
On Oct. 22, Ryan will be inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.