Saint Louis University has named one of its most decorated alumni, Ryan McCoy, as the new head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving program. McCoy was inducted into the SLU Billiken Hall of Fame back in 2024.
McCoy returns to his alma mater, where he put together one of the most decorated careers in the program’s history. A 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the butterfly events, McCoy is one of the most successful swimmers in program history.
As a student-athlete, he earned nine Atlantic 10 titles and 20 total conference medals. McCoy was named a four-time team MVP, the 2015 A-10 Rookie of the Year, and graduated with 12 program records, six of which he still holds today, as well as four of the fastest relay splits in school history. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in sports business from Saint Louis.
Current SLU Records held by McCoy:
| Event | Time | Year |
| 100 Free | 44.03 | 2018 |
| 200 Free | 1:35.99 | 2016 |
| 500 Free | 4:22.77 | 2018 |
| 100 Fly | 46.96 | 2018 |
| 400 Free Relay | 2:56.99 | 2015 |
| 800 Free Relay | 6:32.42 | 2017 |
“As an alumnus of the program, the core values of trust, care and commitment to excellence were, and still are, the foundation of success for building a competitive team in the Atlantic 10 Conference,” McCoy said in a press release to Saint Louis University.
Prior to his return to the Billikens, McCoy built a coaching resume over the last seven seasons that includes stints at Eastern Illinois, the University of Indianapolis, and Illinois State.
His coaching journey began as a graduate assistant for Eastern Illinois, where he earned his MBA in applied management. In his two years with the Panthers, swimmers set eight school records, and he briefly served as interim head coach before his second season.
At Division II powerhouse Indianapolis, McCoy helped guide the program to its first men’s national championship in 2023 and the women’s first conference title in 18 years. He also helped mentor and develop a pair of 2024 Olympians in Cedric Buessing (Germany) and Collins Saliboko (Tanzania).
Most recently, McCoy served as the sprint coach at Illinois State, where his swimmers set three program records, and he had one swimmer hit the NCAA “B” qualifying time.
“Ryan’s record-setting Billiken career and his successful coaching stops have prepared him to guide our student-athletes to success,” said SLU Director of Athletics Chris May.
The Billikens will compete against Washington University on September 27th to open up their season.
Interesting… rumor has it he didn’t speak to his athletes or staff multiple of his previous schools. Leader or just an alum hire????
….youre going to have to elaborate on “didn’t speak to his athletes or staff.”
Also “rumor has it” is a dumb way to put this. There is no rumor mill on St Louis U coaches. Just say who you are.