New volleyball coach already hard at work in his new role
By Caleb Troop
Athens NEWS Sports Columnist
March 21, 2008
On Monday morning, Ryan Theis already had his game face on.
Theis was officially introduced as the new head volleyball coach at Ohio University by soon-departing Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt Monday after a long and diligent search process. But you won’t find many photos of Theis chuckling at the press conference or sitting back and letting it all sink in.
And that’s OK.
But don’t let the lack of smiling photo-ops make you think Theis hasn’t found his dream job.
“I’m obviously very happy, but I just understand the massive amount of work that needs to be done to keep this program at its level and even higher,” said Theis.
Maybe it’s the fact that he has a 14-day-old baby boy named Carter. Or it could be that Theis is taking over a consistent Top 25 team, the best that Ohio University has to offer. But in reality, it’s the quick realization that Theis has just signed on to a tough situation with the mindset to maintain an exceptional program.
For Theis, now is not the time to unwind. Forget smiling for the cameras; there’s work to be done.
Theis has finally reached his goal of being a head coach; however, he knows that now is not the time to celebrate.
“I’m already in full swing. With the speed and time of things, I have not sat down and appreciated it yet. It means a ton, but I really haven’t taken the time to enjoy it yet.”
Oh, and having an infant in the household with his wife, Jen, doesn’t exactly free up time.
“That’s the side part is that there is the stress involved with having a new baby,” laughed Theis. “It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind.”
There is no doubt Theis has the potential to continue the Mid-American Conference dominance at Ohio. The former University of Florida assistant comes from an amazing program under a well-respected head coach in Mary Wise. His young, energetic and seemingly calm demeanor should mesh well with the players.
Before Monday’s press conference, Theis was already busy in meetings with administrators and the team. Not surprisingly, he was on the recruiting trails as well, where he ran into departing Ohio coach Geoff Carlston, whom Theis will now battle for recruiting territory over the next several years.
As of now, however, Theis’ main goal is to take care of his current players. Theis said he’s confident everyone who is on the team will remain that way.
“No player has came to me and said they wanted a release. I think everyone is staying,” said Theis.
As for incoming recruits Katie Post and Rachel Hockaday from Illinois, Theis might have his hands a bit more full. “It’s still a little in the air,” Theis said. “I definitely think we are going to get one and I think we will get both.”
All in all, the new head coach is happy to be in Athens and back in the Midwest. Theis served as an assistant at both Indiana and Northwestern before going to Florida three years ago.
“My goal has always been to come back to the Midwest. I’ve always been a huge fan of this area,” he said.
While Theis will try to maintain and possibly elevate the program on the court, he will try to do the same away from the nets as well.
“I really want to open the lines of communication and build the family environment perhaps more so,” Theis said. “I do think I can make up some attendance ground starting with the students (too).”
So even if you don’t see Theis smiling, don’t be mistaken. He’s elated to be a member of the Bobcat family. It’s just that a new job, baby and home have not allowed for much reflection time recently.
“It is a very special job,” Theis said. “My wife and I did not really have plans for looking for any head-coaching opportunities this year. But we felt this was too good to let pass by.”
Caleb Troop is the sports columnist for The Athens NEWS and can be reached at ctroop@TroopSports.com. He co-hosts “The SportsFan” weeknights from 6-7 on 970 WATH-AM in Athens.
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