GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- After 13 years out of state, Will Ryan is finally home.
The 41-year-old was officially introduced as UW-Green Bay's new men's basketball coach on Thursday, four years after inking his first Division I head coaching job.
Ryan played college basketball for his father - Bo - at UW-Platteville and UW-Milwaukee, before taking on assistant coaching gigs at Wisconsin, North Dakota State and Ohio University.
"Coming back and just the love that you get from all of your family and friends and coaches in your network and outside, it's special," Ryan said of returning to Wisconsin.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to get going and build something really neat here," he said.
Ryan has one year of head coaching experience - leading Division II Wheeling University (West Virginia) to a 14-13 record last season.
Last summer, Ryan wasn't hired at Wheeling until July 1. His team there was picked to finish last in its conference, but he led them to a surprising winning season.
Now he finds himself in a similar situation at Green Bay, staring in June with only five returning players and seven newcomers.
"You just have to stay positive," he said of the situation. "We have some nice pieces returning and newcomers coming in. I feel confident in that regard. That we've got a nice cast and I don't have to go out and recruit 14 new kids to come to campus within six weeks.
"So just take it day by day, he said."
Ryan said he has met with all of the newcomers. Some of those players have entered the NCAA transfer portal, but he said he does expect them to return to play at Green Bay next season.
