North High Welcomes Chad Ryan

A Polar Bear came back home. Chad Ryan, long-time boys’ basketball coach at North High School, is back at 501 Holcomb Avenue serving as the Director of Activities & School Equity. He was approved by the School Board in August and is back serving students in a community he knows extremely well.

Coach Ryan, as he is known, led the Polar Bears to 151 wins as head boys’ basketball coach. 119 of the wins in his last seven years came against only 44 losses. The teams he coached were known for being fast-paced, high-energy, and very competitive. The team led the state in scoring five times and won four Metro conference titles; the 2017 team made it to the State Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

“North High Basketball was a huge part of my life and I’m excited to now be a part of all of North High Activities,” said Ryan.

Over that 13-year career with North, he served as an At-Risk Coordinator for the school, working in the building on behavior and as a community liaison. He was also an Assistant Activities Director for 12 of those years.

He stepped away from coaching after the 2018-2019 school year and took a one-year hiatus. During that time, the 2019-2020 school year, he remained at North and took time supporting youth sports and girls’ basketball on the north side. He then coached at East High School during the 2020-2021 school year.

“We are so excited to have Coach Ryan back at North,” said Ben Graeber, principal. “He will help so many coaches grow and learn. He has been through the same challenges they will face, and he will be a leader and an adviser to all of our sponsors and coaches.”

One of Chad’s goals is to increase participation in athletics and activities.

“To be able to come back and work with the coaching staffs and activity sponsors and help support them is surreal and truly a tremendous opportunity,” he said.