Sept. 5, 2012. Ryan Riedel has been named the new assistant women’s basketball coach at Lees-McRae College, announced Bobcat head coach Michele Williams Tuesday.
“I am extremely excited to be working with Ryan,” said Williams. “He has great knowledge of the game, and is excited about the opportunity we have here at Lees-McRae.”
Riedel moves over from the Bobcat men’s basketball staff, where he served as an assistant for the last two seasons, helping Lees-McRae post its best league record since joining Conference Carolinas in 1993. During his tenure with the men’s program, Riedel worked with a pair of all-conference selections.
“I’d like to thank Coach Williams and Mr. McPhail for this wonderful opportunity,” said Riedel. “I am very excited for this coming season and to be working with such a great group of young women, as well as a coach as knowledgeable and successful as Coach Williams. I look forward to helping these young women pursue and achieve their goals in both the classroom and on the court.
Prior to his arrival in Banner Elk, Riedel spent five years as a manager for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill under hall of fame coach Roy Williams, including four years with the varsity team after spending his freshman year with the junior varsity squad. Riedel was a member of two final four teams at UNC, including the 2009 national championship squad.
Riedel graduated from UNC in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in sport administration and history. The Blowing Rock, N.C. native is following in his stepfather, Keith Walker’s, footsteps as a basketball coach at Lees-McRae. Walker led the women’s basketball program during the 1985-86 season before taking the helm of the men’s team from 1986-1990.