It was announced on Wednesday by Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez that Ryan Hall has been named the Head Men's Water Coach at the University of Redlands. Following a three-month stint as the Interim Head Coach, Hall officially replaces Tom Whittemore, who stepped down from his coaching responsibilities in early December.
"It's hard to put into words how much this opportunity means to me. Excited is an understatement. To be in this position – coaching for my alma mater, I couldn't be happier. I am thankful to the University and the entire athletic department for their support," commented Hall. "I want to say a special thank you to Coach Whittemore, my coach, and mentor. Tom has been a role model for me and countless other Bulldog athletes over the years. The history of the program, the culture that Coach Whittemore has created with 32 years of hard work, is not lost on me. I will do my best to carry on the legacy that Coach Whittemore and the alumni have helped create. I welcome the challenge and look forward to putting my stamp on the water polo program at the University of Redlands for many years to come."
A familiar face to the Bulldog family, Hall has accumulated nine years of experience as a coach and student-athlete under Whittemore's leadership. Most recently, Hall returned to Redlands as the first full-time Assistant Water Polo Coach in July 2018 and stepped into the role of Interim Head Coach in December 2019. 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 becoming the Head Men's Water Polo Coach and Assistant Women's Water Polo Coach at McKendree University (IL) during the 2017-18 academic year.
"I am thrilled that Ryan Hall has been selected as the next Head Men's Water Polo Coach at the University of Redlands," Whittemore stated. "Ryan is one of the best players in the history of Bulldog water polo, but more importantly, he is an outstanding leader, educator, coach, and example for the young men in our program. He has worked tirelessly to build his résumé in the water polo world and is well prepared in all facets of coaching to take our program to new and exciting accomplishments. This is a fantastic decision for University of Redlands Water Polo. It's a great day to be a Bulldog."
As an undergraduate student-athlete, Hall completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as a four-year member of the men's water polo team. He put together an impressive athletics résumé that culminated in being tabbed the 2006 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 career. He also dabbled in basketball for two seasons. 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).
Outside of Redlands, Hall led the USA Olympic Development Coastal Zone Youth Program and specifically coached the boys' team to the 2016 championship at the National Selection Tournament at nearby Riverside Community College. In addition, Hall served as a teacher and coach in the Pacific Northwest. After graduation, Hall gained international playing experience by competing in semi-professional water polo in Sydney, Australia, in 2009-10.
Martinez added, "It is exciting to have someone with Ryan's experience and passion for student-athlete development step into the role of providing leadership for our men's water polo program moving forward. He has big shoes to fill, but I am confident he is the right person to get it done and will do it his way, which is a plus for all of us."