GRAND FORKS, N.D.-– University of North Dakota head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach Chris Maiello announced the hiring of Ryan Rich as an assistant coach. He will officially begin his duties at UND July 1.
“We are excited that coach Ryan has joined our coaching staff,” Maiello said. “Coach Ryan’s experience at Purdue and Tulane will serve our program well as we continue to aspire to participate at the highest levels of our sport. Ryan’s successful work with recruiting and on-deck coaching will no doubt help our programs reach the next level. His preparedness and thoroughness displayed during his interview process really impressed us. We are eager to put him to work. “
A native of Minnetonka, Minn., Rich comes to UND after a decade of experience in college, high school and club level programs. He spent last season at Tulane University as a graduate assistant. There, he helped mentor a team that broke 11 school records and finished fourth in the American Athletic Conference championships.
Prior to that, Rich was a volunteer assistant women’s swimming coach at Purdue University. The Boilermakers took 25th at the NCAA Division I Championships and were seventh in the ultra-competitive Big Ten Conference. Purdue re-wrote 10 school records that season and he helped mentor eight NCAA Division I qualifiers.
“I would like to thank Chris Maiello, Anthony Harris and Brian Strom for giving me the opportunity to join the North Dakota family,” Rich said. “I am fortunate to be part of a program with such a proud history and bright future, and I cannot wait to get started.”
The 2013 Boston Globe swim coach of the year, Rich got his start in coaching in 2005. Since then, he has held numerous positions at both the club and high school levels, most recently serving as the head coach at Mount Alvernia High School and Newton North High School in Newton, Mass. At Mount Alvernia, Rich led the Mustangs — a team with a 3-34 all-time record — to a 20-15 mark over three seasons. At Newton North, he led the Tigers from the bottom of the conference to fifth in the state.
Rich swam competitively for six years before transitioning to coaching. A graduate of Providence Academy (Minn.), he holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and a master’s degree from Boston College.
What they’re saying about Coach Ryan Rich:
John Klinge- Head Coach, Purdue University- “Coach Ryan is honest, and an extremely hard worker, and really wants to learn and continue to develop as a coach. I gave him a lot to do – recruiting, admin, on-deck coaching – and he did a really good job.”Katie Robinson- Head Coach, Tulane- “He is extremely consistent, very detail oriented and completely trustworthy and honest. Ryan will undoubtedly be an asset to your program.”
Swimming news courtesy of University of North Dakota Athletics.