[4] Ryan retired from playing after the first MISL season of the Sting in 1985 and moved to the University of Wisconsin–Madison where he coached in various capacities until 1993.
In 1996, he moved to Southern Methodist University where he compiled a 37–21–5 record as the women's soccer coach.
[5] The national team finished first in first-round group play in the 2007 Women's World Cup held in China.
On Monday, October 22, 2007, U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati announced that Ryan's contract would not be extended past its December 31, 2007, expiration date.
[6] Ryan accepted the position of head coach for the University of Michigan women's soccer team on February 1, 2008.