University of Maine head coach Nick Charlton appointed Mike Ryan as the Black Bears’ defensive coordinator on Jan. 5, 2019. Ryan is currently in his eighth year on staff.
In the shortened 2021 spring session, Ryan played a key role in the development of All-CAA First Team selection Deshawn Stevens. Stevens, returning from injury, led the Black Bears in tackles during the four game season before being taken as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 Canadian Football League draft. Overall, under Ryan's guidance, Maine's defense continued its tradition of being strong against the pass as the Black Bears ranked third in the CAA allowing just 149.2 yards of offense through the air.
Ryan adapted to his first-year as the Black Hole defensive coordinator in 2019. Ryan was challenged in his first-year as the defensive play caller after losing a pair of preseason all-conference selections to injury. Operating under Maine's 'next man up' mentality, Ryan and the defensive persevered with some impressive play up front led by all-conference selection Kayon Whitaker who ranked third in the CAA in sacks per game. The pressure up front assisted on the backend where Maine's secondary ranked fourth in the CAA in passing yards allowed per game, first in opposing completion percentage while allowing the second fewest touchdown passes in the CAA. In all, the Black Bears checked in third in the CAA in team passing efficiency defense (123.58). Along with his staff's assistance, Ryan mentored four individual All-CAA selections and a pair of All-New England honorees in 2019. Specifically, Ryan mentored Maine's linebacker unit where he worked to develop Maine's top two tacklers in All-CAA honoree Taji Lowe and second-year backer Adrian Otero.
Ryan played a key part in helping shape Maine’s top-ranked rush defense as the Black Bears allowed just 79.2 rush yards per game during their Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) final four run. In 2018, Ryan mentored Maine's inside linebackers led by all-conference selection Deshawn Stevens who led the Black Bears with 120 tackles, ranking third in the CAA in total tackles and tackles per game (8.6), to go along with 17.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, two pass breakups and an interception.
After joining the Black Bears in 2014 as a defensive line assistant coach, Ryan went on to coach the outside linebackers in 2015 before being promoted to recruiting coordinator and inside linebacker coach in the summer of 2016.
Ryan, who served as the Black Bears’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator in 2018, helped guide a Maine ‘Black Hole’ defense which ranked in the top-5 among the CAA in third down conversion (28.4), red zone defense (78.7) and scoring defense (23.4 ppg). Maine’s inside linebacker unit provided the pressure to help lead the Black Bears to top marks in the CAA in team sacks (3.36), tackles for loss (8.4) and total turnovers gained (31).
Individually in 2018, Ryan was responsible for mentoring Maine’s top two tacklers in CAA all-conference second team selection Deshawn Stevens (120) and Taji Lowe (85). Stevens finished the year ranked third in the CAA in tackles per game (8.6), tied for sixth in total sacks (9.0) and second in tackles for loss (17.0). Lowe ended the 2018 campaign 23rd in the league in tackles per game (6.5) and fourth with 15.0 tackles for loss.
For three seasons, Ryan was in charge of Maine’s recruiting efforts as he served as the Black Bears’ recruiting coordinator from 2016-2018.
In 2017, Ryan continued to develop Maine's linebackers, mentoring a pair of first-year starters in Jaron Grayer and Lowe, along with Stevens who stepped into a starting role late in the season. Grayer opened eyes in his first season as Ryan assisted in mentoring the redshirt freshman to a spot as a STATS Jerry Rice Award finalist, an honor presented to the nation's top freshman at the FCS level. Grayer led all CAA freshmen with 7.9 tackles per game, finishing the year as Maine's top tackler (79); 11th best among all CAA defenders.
After spending a year working with the outside linebackers, Ryan moved inside where he closely developed All-CAA and Canadian Football League (CFL) draftee Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga. Ryan also coordinated the recruiting efforts behind the process of signing Maine's highly touted incoming class of 15 newcomers and three transfers.
In 2015, Ryan’s focus was with the outside linebackers. His assistance led the Maine defense to a second-ranked CAA rush defense (110.8), second in the CAA in sacks (32) and third in total defense (316.8). Specifically, Ryan mentored senior Cabrinni Goncalves, a leader on defense and Maine’s third-ranked tackler with 57 stops. Ryan also developed future standouts Sterling Sheffield (16 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception) and Ben Davis.
In 2014, Ryan assisted then defensive line coach Jordan Stevens where he helped mentored all-conference selection Trevor Bates. Ryan worked with a defense, which ranked second in the CAA in total defense (316.7) and fourth in the league in rush defense (144.5). The Black Bears accumulated 26 sacks in 2014.
Ryan joined the UMaine staff after spending three years as a defensive assistant with the outside linebackers at Trinity College. While at Trinity, Ryan mentored three all conference selections while also helping lead the team to an undefeated 2012 NESCAC Championship season.
Prior to his time a Trinity, Ryan served as a defensive assistant with the safeties at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.
Ryan, a 2011 graduate of UConn, spent three seasons as a student assistant with the Huskies where he worked with the defensive line and inside linebackers. During his time at UConn, Ryan was a part of a three Huskies’ bowl appearances including the 2009 International Bowl, the 2012 Papa John’s Bowl and the 2011 BCS Tostitos Fiesta Bowl while also serving as part of the 2010 Big East Champion staff.
Ryan earned his bachelor of science in coaching and administration from UConn in 2011. He played the 2006 season at Salve Regina University before transferring to UConn.
