Illinois State Hires Ryan Evans to Coach Swim Team
Illinois State on Tuesday announced the hiring of Ryan Evans to lead the swimming and diving program.
Evans was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Kansas’s women’s team for two seasons.
“I am thrilled to be named the next Head Swimming & Diving Coach at Illinois State University,” Evans said in a press release. “I want to thank Dr. Jeri Beggs, Cindy Harris, and the entire Athletic Department for this incredible opportunity to lead the Redbird program. I’m especially grateful to my wife, Lauren, for her unwavering support throughout my career. I’ve been really impressed by the resources and commitment Illinois State provides its student-athletes, both in the classroom and in the pool. This is a place that truly supports excellence, and I’m excited to build a program that competes for Missouri Valley Conference championships. Lauren and I are also looking forward to raising our five kids in the Bloomington-Normal community. I can’t wait to connect with our current swimmers and divers, recruit the next generation of Redbirds, and engage with the program’s alumni. Roll Birds!”
Evans replaces Riley Hilbrandt, who resigned in April after two seasons in charge.
Evans was hired by the Jayhawks from Division II University of Mary in North Dakota, where as the head coach he helped the university to its first All-American nod.
Evans was an assistant coach at the University of New Mexico in 2021-22. He served as the head coach of Reno Aquatic Club from 2018-21, earning a USA Swimming’s Club Excellence Bronze Level recognition. A native of Reno, he swam at the University of Iowa, where he was a team captain in 2008-09.
“We are excited to welcome Ryan Evans and his family to Normal and look forward to him leading the Redbird Swimming & Diving program,” Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs said. “Ryan brings a wealth of experience with him as a Division I assistant coach at Kansas and New Mexico and as a head coach who led a successful Division II program. In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, he has a background coaching and running a swim club and as a high school head coach, which should aid him in the recruiting process finding future Redbirds. Ryan sold us on his intent for Redbird Swimming & Diving to be program that competes for championships and has tremendous success, in and out of the pool. We are thrilled to have Ryan join our Redbird Family and know he will be a great asset to our department.”
