Muskingum names Ryan McClain '09 Head Women's Basketball Coach

Muskingum University is proud to announce the hiring of Ryan McClain '09 as its new Head Women's Basketball Coach. A 2009 graduate of Muskingum, McClain returns to his alma mater with a proven track record of success and a deep passion for student-athlete development.

McClain brings over a decade of coaching experience and a reputation for transforming programs and building winning cultures. Most recently, he served as the Head Girls' Basketball Coach at Marietta High School, where he led the Tigers to a 59-12 overall record over three seasons, including back-to-back sectional championships, multiple appearances in the AP Poll, and one of the top 15 defensive scoring averages in the state. His 2024-25 and 2022-23 squads recorded two of the school's four 20-win seasons in history. He was also honored as Marietta High School Girls Coach of the Year in 2024.

"Ryan has a powerful bond to Muskingum athletics as an alumnus and former student-athlete. His excitement to guide our women's basketball program into the future is a powerful testament to his passion and drive that he brings to the sideline," said Muskingum Director of Athletics Kari Winters. "Ryan's relatability, zest, and energy around regional and national recruitment are just a few things that will strengthen our department and the overall brand of our women's basketball program.  I am excited to watch him develop relationships around campus with faculty and staff. We welcome him and his family to the Fighting Muskie family!"

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to be named the head women's basketball coach at Muskingum University — a place I proudly call home as an alum," said McClain. "This is a full-circle moment for me, and I'm committed to building something special here. With strong relationships throughout Ohio and a deep passion for developing student-athletes on and off the court, I'm ready to lead this program with pride, purpose, and relentless energy."

Before his tenure at Marietta, McClain led the Benjamin Logan High School girls basketball team from 2021-2022. In just one season, he turned around the program with a 12-win improvement and helped set new school records in defensive efficiency, steals, and made three-pointers. He was honored as the District 9 Division II Girls Basketball Coach of the Year in 2022.

McClain's coaching journey also includes roles on the boys' side of the game. He served as the freshman boys coach and a varsity assistant at Jonathan Alder High School (2019-2020), compiling a 15-5 record and a runner-up finish in the CBC Freshman Tournament. He previously led the junior varsity boys team at Fairbanks High School from 2016-2018, posting an impressive 40-4 record.

His coaching excellence has been widely recognized. In 2025 alone, McClain was named:

• Southeast District Division III Girls Basketball Coach of the Year (AP/Media)
• District 13 Division II-IV Girls Basketball Coach of the Year (District 13 Coaches Association)
• TSL Girls Basketball Coach of the Year

A 2008 Defensive MVP for the Muskingum football team, McClain holds a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in business from Muskingum.