Leaving the Nest: Falcons' Successes Produce Another NCAA D-I Coach

A message from Athletics Director Will Dunne:

Along with the rest of the Daytona State athletics family, I'm proud to see another member of our successful Falcon staff fly on to his next assignment. Head men's basketball coach Ryan Ridder, who joined the Daytona State Falcons in 2013, has accepted a new position at the helm of our neighboring educational institution, Bethune-Cookman University.

During his time with us, Ryan guided the Falcons to a 95-28 (.772) overall record and four consecutive Mid-Florida Conference championships. He also earned the title of Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year in each of his four years with DSC. Under Ryan's direction, the Falcons were successful in the FCSAA state tournament as well, advancing to the final four of the state tournament twice in four years.

"We have had a run of incredible success during our tenure at DSC, which is a tribute to the culture of support on our campus," Ryan said in a warm message to our athletics staff. "We have been fortunate to coach great student-athletes, many of whom have successfully moved on to four-year universities." 

Ryan is the second men's basketball coach from DSC to leave the Falcons' nest for an NCAA head coaching position. Some of our basketball fans may remember Brad Underwood, who served at the Falcons' helm from 2003 to 2006. After he led Oklahoma State in a hard-fought battle with Michigan in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, Brad was hired by the University of Illinois, another prestigious head coaching position.

During his time at Daytona State, Brad guided the Falcons to a 70-24 (.744) overall record with two Mid-Florida Conference championships, three appearances in the FCSAA state tournament, and one runner-up finish in the state championship. 

"Daytona State has been a huge part of my coaching success," Brad recently told me.  "The support from the institution, the athletic leadership, and the overall commitment they provide to operate a first-class athletic program makes for a tremendous working environment.  My three years there allowed me to build teams that could compete for conference and state titles." 

After leaving DSC in 2006, Brad returned to his alma mater, Kansas State, as an assistant coach under Bob Huggins before moving on to the University of South Carolina in 2012 as an associate head coach. From there, he was hired as head coach at Stephen F. Austin University where he produced an 89-14 (.864) overall record and led the team to three straight appearances at the NCAA tournament.  In 2016, Brad became the leader for Oklahoma State's men's basketball program where his team went 20-13 (.606) with another appearance at the NCAA tournament.

In fact, in his four years as an NCAA head coach both for the Lumberjacks and Cowboys, Brad led all four teams to the post-season tournament, a testament to his incredible coaching skills, which began at Daytona State.

"The building blocks I used to create the programs at Daytona State, Stephen F. Austin, and Oklahoma State are the same ones that I use today as the head coach at the University of Illinois," said Brad.

Although we are sad to see Ryan go, just as we were when Brad left, we wish him nothing but success at BCU. He put a tremendous amount of hard work into getting our institution back on top as a men's basketball powerhouse. He was a wonderful leader for the men on our team and for our whole Falcon family.

"I will cherish the relationships we have built on and off campus and will continue to value those at a high level," Ryan shared with the DSC athletics staff. "Daytona State College will always hold a special place in my heart."

Looking forward, we will now begin the search for a new torch bearer to carry on the tradition of excellence in our men's basketball program. We are excited to find another leader who will not only follow the positive examples set by past coaches like Brad and Ryan, but help us continue to grow our program, guide our student-athletes on and off the court, and embrace the core values of Falcon athletics.

Onward and upward,

-        Will