The University of Redlands Bulldogs welcomed back Ryan Hall to the water polo programs as the first full-time Assistant Coach for the men's and women's teams. He officially began this new role on Monday, July 9.
Hall rejoins the Bulldog staff after serving as the Head Men's Water Polo Coach and Assistant Women's Water Polo Coach at McKendree University (IL) for the past year.
"I am very excited to be back at the University of Redlands. I look forward to working with Tom and Chris, and the entire athletic department once again," Hall commented. "It was great stepping away for a year to coach at McKendree University, where I gained valuable experience and developed a lot as a coach. But Redlands is like a second home to me and I feel very fortunate for this opportunity to return and to coach full time."
In 2016, he led the USA Olympic Development Coastal Zone Youth Program and specifically coached the boys' team to a championship at the National Selection Tournament at nearby Riverside Community College.
Hall's previous stint at Redlands began in 2013 and continued through 2016. As a graduate assistant for both water polo teams, he completed his Master of Arts in High Education. He remained on the pool deck for the subsequent year before taking the job at McKendree.
Prior to coaching at Redlands, Hall gained experience as a teacher and coach in the Pacific Northwest.
As an undergraduate, he competed for the Bulldogs under Head Coach Tom Whittemore.
"I am very excited to have Ryan Hall return to our staff. He was one of the very best players we ever had in our program, and when he joined us the first time as an assistant coach, he did an outstanding job," Whittemore stated. "Now, he returns with even more experience and more confidence. Most importantly, he is truly a Bulldog for Life, who already is personally invested in our success."
En route to completing his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Hall put together an impressive water polo résumé that culminated in being tabbed the 2007 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Athlete of the Year. He garnered First-Team All-America and First-Team All-SCIAC accolades each season of his four-year career.
Hall's name remains scattered about the Redlands records book, as he ranks fifth all-time in goals (194), fourth all-time in steals (200), and fifth all-time in ejections drawn (160).
This well-rounded athlete also contributed to the high-octane offense of then-Head Coach Gary Smith's men's basketball team that reset multiple NCAA and school records for scoring in 2005-06. Hall later competed for the more traditional style of basketball under Head Coach Jim Ducey in 2007-08.
After graduation, Hall gained international playing experience by competing in semi-professional water polo in Sydney, Australia, in 2009-10.
Hall is among multiple new hires for Bulldog Athletics, as the department continues to make the move from graduate assistants to full-time assistants.