Saint Louis Hires Hall of Famer Ryan McCoy as New Head Coach
Saint Louis University on Tuesday hired Ryan McCoy as its new head coach. McCoy was a standout for the Billikens, inducted to the Billiken Hall of Fame in 2024.
McCoy was most recently an assistant coach at Illinois State during the 2024-25. It’s his first college head coaching job.
“I am ecstatic and honored to be named the head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach for Saint Louis University,” McCoy said in a university statement. “I would like to thank Chris May, (Deputy Director of Athletics) Dr. Janet Oberle and (Associate Director of Athletics) Annie Reis for the opportunity to lead this great group of young men and women toward the program’s competitive future.”
McCoy led Illinois State’s sprinters, producing three school records and an NCAA B standard. He spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Division II power University of Indianapolis after starting his career as a graduate assistant at Eastern Illinois, where he spent two months as the interim head coach.
McCoy was part of the UIndy staff that captured the first NCAA title in program history. The men won two conference titles and were twice NCAA runner-up in McCoy’s tenure, led by Olympians Cedric Buessing and Collins Saliboko. He also led the women’s team to its first conference championship in 18 years.
McCoy was voted the most valuable performer each of his four years as an undergrad at Saint Louis. He graduated in 2018 with eight individual school records, all of which still stand, and four relay marks. The Phoenix, Arizona, native qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials in 2016 in the 100 fly and 200 free. He won 10 individual and 10 relay medals at the Atlantic 10 Championships. He won at least one conference gold each of his four years, with five individual titles and four relay crowns.
“We are thrilled to announce Ryan McCoy as the new head coach for Billiken swimming and diving, and we welcome him back to lead the young women and men in our program,” director of athletics Chris May said. “Ryan’s record-setting Billiken career and his successful coaching stops have prepared him to guide our student-athletes to success.”
