Ryan grew up in New Jersey where he started swimming competitively at the age of 7.  He swam for the Jersey Wahoos Swim Club where he specialized in backstroke from an early age.  In high school, Ryan qualified for sectionals and Junior Nationals in the backstrokes, sprint free, and IM events.  His favorite event in high school was the 200 IM. 
Ryan was recruited by several division 1 swim programs and took trips to George Mason University, Rutgers University, East Carolina University, Old Dominion University and UNC-Wilmington.  He received several scholarship offers and eventually landed at George Mason University on a partial academic and partial athletic scholarship.  Swimming for George Mason, Ryan became one of the best backstrokers in school history.  He is a member of both the 200 medley and 400 medley relay records swimming the backstroke leg.  He achieved US Open qualifying times in the 100, 200 back and the 200 IM.
Ryan began coaching summer league back in 2006 and has continued to coach the past 4 years.  He is currently the assistant coach of the Parklawn Piranhas swim team in the NVSL.  He is excited to begin coaching for the Potomac Marlins this upcoming fall.