By Kelly Velez
After six years with Daytona State College, head Men’s Basketball coach Anthony Andre resigned mid-season, leaving a team leaderless and with an overall 77-105 win/loss record for Daytona State College and a dismal 6-25 this past season.
Injuries and the loss of players gradually throughout the season served as a major setback for the team and DSC athletic director Will Dunne promptly initiated an in-depth search for a new coach following Andre’s stepping down. Throughout that month-long process, Dunne fielded interviews with many possible candidates, settling on a young coach named Ryan Ridder.
Ridder took control of the men’s basketball program on April 2 and previously served as an assistant coach at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C. He also worked as a volunteer assistant at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he coached under his father, Steve Ridder. From 2009 to 2010 he aided Embry-Riddle to reach the quarterfinals of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics or NAIA national tournament, with an overall win/lose record of 30-6.
In addition, he served as the starting point guard at ERAU from 2006 to 2008 and was team captain. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Studies at ERAU in 2008, as well as a master’s in Sports Management at California University of Pennsylvania in 2009
“It was very clear that Ryan Ridder was the man for the job,” said DSC Athletic Director Will Dunne. “He has great vision. He will be a relentless recruiter, a student to the game and a teacher who will improve the player and team performance.”
Ridder, 28, is a young, energetic man, as well as a Daytona Beach native who attended Father Lopez High School. When asked if Ridder’s young age was a hindrance, due to his lack of head coaching experience, Dunne responded, “It had no effect on our overall decision. He is a young, energetic coach who identifies with the players.”
At press time, Ridder was unavailable for comment, but in a press release from the College, following the announcement, he said, “I am absolutely humbled and excited for the chance be a part of the Falcon community. I look forward to hitting the ground running and revitalizing the men’s basketball program through hard work and the continued commitment to recruiting quality people, as well as great student athletes.”
Hiring a new coach was a priority because college teams have to meet an April 8 deadline this year for bringing on new or old coaches. But Ridder also sees his new job as a challenge of building the team back up to its former glory.
“This will be imperative to our success. We are also very eager to meet the challenge of creating more awareness and excitement about Daytona State and the men’s basketball program throughout the campus and local community, as well as gaining national prominence. We will strive for success in the classroom, compete for championships and teach life lessons, which will create special opportunities for our student-athletes to obtain basketball scholarships while furthering their education,” Ridder said.