Diego Ryland
Newport News,VA
Summary
Results-driven CEO/Coach with forward-thinking approach centered on company/Team success and competitive growth. Demonstrated record of success in building successful teams and managing profitable operations.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
CEO/Owner
Tidewater Home Team
Newport News, VA
04.2021 - Current
- Assisted over 30 students in planning educational and athletic programs consistent with their abilities and interests
- Monitoring over 100 students progress toward educational/career goals and meet at least once quarterly
- Interpret and provide rationale for prospective athletic recruits and their families.
Associate Head Coach/ Special Teams Coordinator/FBs & RBs Coach
Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA
01.2018 - Current
- Handle full life cycle of recruitment efforts working with admissions, financial aid, and student accounts, registrar, and housing
- Assist in planning and directing recruitment, conditioning, training, and performance of student athletes, along with fiscal program management, for VUU’s NCAA Division II intercollegiate football program
- Direct assigned Assistant Coaches and Graduate Students in overall planning and execution of a top intercollegiate football program
- Recruit quality prospective student-athletes and ensure timely submission of their academic records for admissions
- Monitor academic progress of players and implement academic improvement action plans with appropriate staff when needed
- Plan coaching and practice sessions in accordance with NCAA and Conference regulations
- Promote athletic program through community events, public speaking, fundraising, and marketing
- Scored over 297 points on Special Teams in a 4 season span with 5 special teams players making All-Conference and one being named All-American and Special Teams Player of the Year
- Help generate and receive equipment and money worth $94,000 in donations to program.
- Supported Head Coach's vision for program while offering constructive feedback when appropriate during strategic planning discussions.
- Developed and delivered presentations to educate clients on topics related to coaching.
- Supported head coach's vision for program while offering constructive feedback when appropriate during strategic planning discussions.
- Assisted in developing marketing materials to promote coaching services.
- Bolstered overall team performance by instilling discipline regarding practice attendance and punctuality.
- Encouraged clients to find creative solutions to problems and maintain motivation.
- Encouraged injury prevention through proper warm-up routines before practice sessions or games.
- Assisted in recruiting top talent for program by scouting potential student-athletes and presenting scholarship opportunities.
- Boosted player morale during challenging situations with motivational speeches or encouragement from sideline during games.
- Assisted clients with developing strategies to manage stress and increase productivity.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive training program for new coaches to increase resilience and performance.
- Coordinated special events such as pre-season tryouts, training camps and special workshops to support team goals.
Assistant Coach/Assistant Director of Operations/RBs
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
12.2016 - 01.2018
- Assisted Director of Football Operations
- Assisted with overall recruiting efforts by creating valuable coaching contacts from various D1, JUCO, and high school programs essential for recruiting
- Taught and assisted Offensive Coordinator with the implementation of offensive scheme
- Developed a10 running backs and fullbacks with 2 transitioning from other positions groups and developed an All-Conference Running Back.
Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator
Various High Schools
Various States
01.2000 - 12.2016
- Implemented a new offensive scheme that would get Bethel High back into the playoffs after a 3-year hiatus
- Instrumental in developing game plans, preparation and execution that created success to the overall program
- Instrumental in placing over 22 student athletics in college with full or partial scholarships at Bethel High School
- Help generate and receive $10,000 in donations to high school programs in Virginia
- At Lake Taylor High School developed and coached quarterbacks in the twin veer system reaching regional finals 3 years in a row and winning a State Championship in 2012.
Education
Ph.D. - Curriculum And Instruction
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05.2026
Master of Arts - Curriculum & Instruction
Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA05.2021
Bachelor of Science - Sports Management
United States Sports Academy
Daphne, AL07.2017
Skills
- Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook), Jenzabar EX Admissions and Student Life modules, Emergency Management Plan (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery)
- Proficiency in coaching software HUDL, DV Sport and XOS
- NCAA Coaches Certification (20016 - present)
- National Red Cross (CPR) (1995-present)
- First Aid Certification (1995 - present)
- Senior/Advance/Primary Leadership Certification
- Equal Opportunity Leaders Course Certification
- Retention Training Certification
- Master Resiliency Trainer Certification
Accomplishments
- Retired from US Army after serving over 21 years Honorably.
- Head Football Coach Finalist for Virginia State University 2022
- Selected as Football Scoop Raising Star in 2021-2022.
- 8 years Collegiate Football Coaching (NCAA D1 and D2)
- 5 years Special Teams Coordinator 1st in NCAA D2 Blocked Kicks & Punts 2018, 2022, 2023
- Coached, Mentored and Trained an All-Conference and All-American Punter and Kicker 2018, 2019, 2022 & 2023.
- Coached, Mentored and Trained an All-Conference Running Back every year as College Coach and produced 2 All-American RBs and 1 Harlon Hill Finalist
- Coached 16 players who have gone on to play at the Professional Level (NFL & CFL)
- Selected as 2023 Dream Bowl Offensive Coordinator. Team Won 49-6 in Allstar Game
- 89% winning percentage as an Assistant Football Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
- 97% graduation rate among football players through academic advisement and mentorship.
- Creator of Agility football drill “Crazy Highway”
- 2018-2019 NCAA Division II Identity Workshop
- 2020 NFL Coaches Academy
- 2020-2020 NFL Combine Volunteer with Philadelphia Eagles
- 2020-2020—NFL Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship Selectee (Philadelphia Eagles) Canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Affiliations
- American Football Coaches Association
- Black College Coaches Association
- USA Football Coaches Member
- American Baseball Coaches Association
- National Federation High School Association
- NCAA/NFL Coaches Academy Alumni 2020
- 2022 Rising Star on NCAA Football Scoop
- American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 10 years
- National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches Association (NFCMCA) 4 years
- Virginia High School Coaches Association (VHSCA)
- Wounded Warrior Project Alumni
- Tidewater Basketball Officials Association
- National Federation of State High School Association
- Mission Continues
- Prince Hall Mason
Social Media Handles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-ryland-maci-49b700055/, https://twitter.com/dlryland
Honors And Awards
- 1 Harlon Hill Finalist (3rd in Voting)
- 1 HBCU Player of the Year
- 6 CIAA All-Conference 2018-2023 (4 Repeated)
- 3 NCAA D2 All-Americans
- 3 NCAA D2 All Region 2
- Recruiter of the year (Virginia Union University 2018-2021)
- 1 MEAC All-Conference 2017
Timeline
CEO/Owner
Tidewater Home Team
04.2021 - Current
Associate Head Coach/ Special Teams Coordinator/FBs & RBs Coach
Virginia Union University
01.2018 - Current
Assistant Coach/Assistant Director of Operations/RBs
Hampton University
12.2016 - 01.2018
Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator
Various High Schools
01.2000 - 12.2016
Ph.D. - Curriculum And Instruction
Liberty University
Master of Arts - Curriculum & Instruction
Virginia Union University
Bachelor of Science - Sports Management
United States Sports Academy