MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Ryan Saunders has been hired as the first full-time assistant coach with the Barry University men’s basketball program it was announced today by director of athletics Michael L. Covone.
Saunders has worked as a graduate assistant with the men for the last two years after completing a very successful playing career with the Bucs.
He will assist with all aspects of the program, including recruiting, planning practices and games, and NCAA compliance.
“I could not be happier,” head coach Cesar Odio said. “Ryan has been with our program for six years as a player and a graduate assistant. He is an outstanding person with a great work ethic and uncanny ability to relate to student-athletes of today. His hire will help us in our quest to get back to the NCAA tournament.”
Saunders made 120 straight starts, every game of his collegiate career, and walked away as the Bucs’ all-time leader with 578 assists. His assists total ranked fifth in Sunshine State Conference history when he graduated.
He led the Bucs to the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore and a senior, the only two appearances in school history. As a senior, Saunders was named First-Team All-SSC, leading the team its only Sunshine State Conference title. During his junior season, he dished out a career-best 163 assists, which ranks second in Barry single-season history. As a rookie, in 2003-04, he was named to the SSC All-Freshman Team.
He finished his career with 908 points, 340 rebounds and a school-record 174 steals in addition to the assists.
