Mercer University names Ryan Ridder next men’s basketball head coach
Mercer University announced Friday it has named Ryan Ridder as the program's 30th head coach.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mercer University announced Friday it has named Ryan Ridder as the program’s 30th men’s basketball head coach.
He replaces Greg Gary, whose contract was not renewed after the 2023-24 season.
Ridder led UT Martin to 48 wins over the last three seasons, included a 21-11 record in 2023-24. The Lexington, Kentucky native is 191-120 (.614) in nine seasons as a head coach. He’s also served in the role at Daytona State and Bethune-Cookman.
“I could not be more excited to welcome Ryan, his wife Jen, and their children to the Mercer family,” Mercer Athletics Director Jim Cole said. “Coach Ridder has shown throughout his career that he excels in skill development, which will help bring out the best in our returning student-athletes. I’m also confident that our fans will be energized by the brand of basketball that he will bring to Hawkins Arena as well.”
According to Mercer, UT Martin had NCAA Division I’s 23rd-ranked scoring offense (81.5 points per game) this past season. The Skyhawks won 12 of their last 14 regular season games to claim a share of the OVC regular season title and the No. 2 seed in the OVC Tournament.
“I want to express my gratitude to President Bill Underwood and Director of Athletics Jim Cole for their faith in me to lead the men’s basketball program at Mercer University,” Ridder said. “My family and I are extremely excited for this opportunity to build new relationships, as well as to build on the tradition of success that this program has already experienced. There is an immense amount of support and pride in the Mercer family, and I can’t wait to meet our phenomenal young men and get to work. Go Bears!”
Ridder began coaching as a volunteer assistant coach for his father, Steve Ridder, at Embry-Riddle (in Florida) in 2009-10. He also served as an assistant coach at Campbell for three seasons from 2010-2013.
