As Iowa State point guard Emily Ryan’s career was wrapping up, Cyclones women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly constantly raved about her potential as a coach.
Fennelly figured Ryan, who essentially served as an unofficial coach during games and practices, figured she’d eventually transition into the role one day.
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He’s giving Ryan her first chance. Iowa State announced May 20 that Ryan, the program’s all-time assists leader and one the best players in program history, is joining the staff for the 2025-26 season as a graduate assistant.
Ryan finished her playing career following the 2024-25 season after Iowa State lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I want to first of all thank our administration for making it possible for Emily Ryan to remain a member of the Cyclone Women’s Basketball family,” Fennelly said in a news release. “Emily’s loyalty to Iowa State and her passion for this program are truly special. Her work ethic is as good as I have ever seen. I am confident that she will impact our program as a coach, just as she did as one of the best players to ever play at Iowa State.”
Ryan, a native of Claflin, Kan., became one of the greatest point guards in Iowa State history, tallying a school-record 993 career assists. She ranks in the top five in Cyclones history for assists, steals and blocks.
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Ryan played for the Cyclones from 2020 to 2025, taking advantage of the extra season of eligibility awarded by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It led to Ryan playing in an unprecedented five NCAA Tournaments including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2022.
The success didn’t go unnoticed, with Ryan being named All-Big 12 three times during her career. She was also selected to the 2024 Big 12 All-Tournament team and was a three-time Naismith Trophy watch list member.
Ryan graduated from Iowa State with a degree in kinesiology.
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Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Emily Ryan joins Iowa State women’s basketball staff as grad assistant
