Episode Details

Ryan Van Zelst will enter his first season as the Men's Basketball Head Coach at Drew University in 2025-26. Most recently, Van Zelst held the post of associate head coach at Division II Millersville University during the 2024-25 campaign, when he helped Millersville to a 19-12 record.

Van Zelst’s career includes head-coaching stops at both Cabrini University and Penn State Abington. He also served as the associate head coach at Landmark Conference rival University of Scranton, where he spent seven years with the Royals. He picked up additional Division III experience as an assistant coach at both York (Pa.) College and his alma mater, Albright College.

In 2017, Van Zelst was named to the NABC 30 Under 30 Team, and he was a part of the NABC Mentor Circle Program in 2021.

As a student-athlete, Van Zelst played three seasons at Albright and was a member of the 2010 team that captured the MAC Commonwealth Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

On this episode Mike & Ryan discuss the importance of building relationships with players and fostering a sense of community within the team. Van Zelst emphasizes his commitment to transparency and enthusiasm, highlighting his desire to ensure that every athlete feels valued and understood as they navigate the challenges of a coaching transition. Additionally, he articulates his coaching philosophy, which prioritizes defensive discipline and ball movement, while also adapting strategies to suit the unique strengths of his players. As he embarks on this new chapter at Drew University, Van Zelst expresses his dedication to maintaining the program's competitive edge and instilling a culture of success and camaraderie.

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Be prepared with a notebook and pen as you listen to this episode with Ryan Van Zelst, Men's Basketball Head Coach at Drew University.

Website - https://drewrangers.com/sports/mens-basketball

Email - rvanzelst@drew.edu

Twitter/X - @coachryanvz

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