Induction Sport Role

2022 Tennis Coach

Ryan Shaffer graduated in 1967 from Perry HS where he captained the football and baseball teams.  Ryan received a football scholarship to play at Minnesota State – Mankato and later graduated with Honors from Grove City College.  He received his Masters degree from the University of Dayton.

In 1974, Ryan began his career in education at Malvern HS where he taught History for 35 years, while also coaching football, basketball and baseball.  From 1975 through 1988, his baseball teams had record of 233-114, winning 19 various championships.

By the late 1980’s, Ryan’s coaching interests transitioned to tennis.  During his time he became an avid player earning certification from the United States Professional Tennis Association and the Professional Tennis Registry.

Since then Ryan has served as Head Girls Coach at St. Thomas Aquinas (1988-1999), Head Men’s Coach at Malone University (1990-95) before finally arriving as the Head Girls and Boys Coach at Hoover (2003-present).  In 55 seasons, his teams have amassed a record of 979-166.  This overall career total places him 2nd all-time in Ohio history while his 576 victories as a Girls coach alone, is #1 all-time.  According to the National Federation of High School’s records, he is the 5th winningest Girls coach in the country.

Ryan’s high school teams have reached the State Final Four six (6) times, including 1996 when his St. Thomas team won the Division II State Team Championship.  In 2013, his Hoover Girls were State Runner-up in Division I and the Vikings were 3rd in 2015.  The Hoover Girls and Boys have won a combined 17 Federal League Championships in his 19 years at the school, never finishing lower than second.

Individually, 71 of his players have qualified for the OHSAA State Tournament including a 2-time State Singles Champion, 3 State Singles Runner-up and a Doubles Runner-up.  41 of his players have earned All-Ohio status.

Ryan has been honored as National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Girls Mideast Region (7 States) Coach of the Year, NFHS Ohio Girls Coach of the Year, NFHS Ohio Boys Coach of the Year, USPTA Midwest Coach of the Year (6 States), NAIA Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year, and the NAIA District 22 Coach of the Year on three occasions.   He has also been selected 20 times as Federal League Coach of the Year and 31 times as the Stark County Coach of the Year by the Stark County Coaches Association and/or the Stark County Tennis Coaches Association.  In 2020, the OHSAA honored Ryan with their Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award. Ryan was inducted into the Aquinas Hall of Fame in 2007, the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Malvern Hall of Fame in 2015.