Few coaches reach the status of a "living legend" while still active in their field, but Virginia women's basketball coach Debbie Ryan is one such giant. After browsing through the NCAA record book, you'll realize that Ryan ranks near the top in every coaching category.
Now in her 25th season leading the Cavaliers, Ryan has amassed a 603-238 all-time record. She has won at least 20 games in a season 18 times and won at least 30 games twice. Ryan reached the 450-win plateau faster than any ACC coach - men's or women's. She has led the Cavaliers to 18 consecutive NCAA appearances, behind only Tennessee and Louisiana Tech.
But Ryan's milestone numbers did not come easily. In 1977-78, her first season, the Cavaliers finished 8-17. In fact, Virginia ranked near the bottom of the ACC during Ryan's first six years at the helm. But every year her teams climbed closer to their goals. That first season would prove to be Ryan's only losing season at Virginia.
In 1984, Ryan's goals of winning an ACC regular season championship and earning an NCAA tournament bid both were met for the first time.
"That trip to the tournament was a huge turning point for this program," Ryan said.
What was a river patiently building momentum turned into a flood that would make the Virginia women's basketball program one of the most important - and most successful - in the entire nation. The Cavaliers won either the ACC regular season title or the ACC tournament title in 11 of their next 13 seasons. Virginia has gone to the Sweet Sixteen 12 times, including 11 consecutive appearances from 1987-1997.
Cavalier dominance in the world of women's basketball peaked from 1990-1992. During that stretch, Virginia went to three straight Final Fours, including reaching the championship game in 1991. Both accomplishments were firsts by an ACC team.
In a little over a decade, Ryan had not only put Virginia basketball on the map, she made it the compass other programs looked to emulate. Although her personal honors include National Coach of the Year in 1991 and a record seven ACC Coach of the Year awards, Ryan is quick to deflect the recognition to her players.
"I want the attention on my players," Ryan said. "I've had great people with me that deserve a lot of this attention. I have not ever scored a basket, nor have I gotten a rebound, nor have I gotten an assist, but I just happen to be the person that's the focal point. They're the ones to focus on."
Although there is no doubt that Ryan has been fortunate enough to coach a number of great players, including 31 All-Americans, it is not a mere coincidence that Ryan consistently gets the most out of her athletes. She has coached a member of the first-team All-ACC team every year since the honor was first given in 1984. Ryan has coached stars such as Val Ackerman (current WNBA commissioner) and Dawn Staley (current Team USA member).
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"She's unselfish. She's approachable all the time, very channeled toward her players and how they are doing," said Audra Smith, a former player and current Virginia assistant coach. "She's just a very caring person, and she will go above and beyond to help her players."
Every player who completed four years of eligibility under Ryan has gone on to graduate from Virginia. In this day and age, a 100 percent graduation rate in any sport is almost unheard of, but Ryan has done it every year.
"What I want more than anything else for our program is, number one, to have good people in the program," Ryan said. "Number two, to make sure that every player in the program leaves having a good experience both on and off the court. Number three, to make sure they have a degree. About all of those things have worked every year. But that's my focal point. If I do those things, I'll be a good coach every year, win or lose."
Ryan faced her toughest challenge when she was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and underwent treatment during last season. Showing the same toughness she demonstrates from on the Cavalier bench, Ryan successfully completed treatment over a year ago and now is totally healthy.
"She's really a legend." Smith said. "She took hold of this program and took it from nothing to a powerhouse. Debbie Ryan is Virginia basketball"
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