From 1984 to 1989, Ayers was an assistant at Ohio State under Eldon Miller and Gary Williams and was promoted to head coach in 1989.

In 1991 and 1992, Ohio State won back-to-back Big Ten Conference regular season titles and top-five national finishes.

Subsequently, Ayers was an assistant for the Orlando Magic from 2005 to 2007, Washington Wizards from 2007 to 2009, the New Orleans Hornets (later Pelicans) from 2010 to 2012 and 2014 to 2015, and then the Phoenix Suns beginning in 2019.

Ayers made his mark more as a defender, rebounder and playmaker than as a scorer, as Miami teammates Archie Aldridge as well as Chuck Goodyear provided much of the offense.

As a freshman in 1974–75, Ayers saw significant playing time, averaged 8.5 points per game (ppg) with a .560 field goal percentage as the Redskins, coached by Darrell Hedric, posted a 19–7 record.

[2] As a junior in 1976–77, Ayers increased his scoring average to 12.8 ppg and 8.1 rebounds per game (rpg) as, for the third season, he was named honorable mention All-MAC.

He was named second-team All-MAC as his teammate, Archie Aldridge, earned MAC Player of the Year.

[2] Miami opened the tournament with a thrilling 84–81 overtime win over defending national champion Marquette, a game in which Ayers had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds plus three assists.

[3] In the next round they were defeated by eventual national champion Kentucky, 91–69, although Ayers had another big game with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

[10][5] Then in 1991–92, Ohio State went 26–6, won the Big Ten title outright, and made the Elite Eight round of the 1992 NCAA tournament.

Despite peaking at #21 in the AP Poll, Ohio State finished 15–13 and exited after the first round of the 1993 National Invitation Tournament with a loss to Miami University.

[13] In June 1994, the National Collegiate Athletics Association placed Ohio State on one year's probation after finding that Ayers improperly met with a high school recruit and basketball coach during a restricted time period and paid $60 to the coach.

[14] Also that year, Ohio State power forward Lawrence Funderburke was selected in the second round of the NBA draft.

Ryan Ayers (born July 16, 1986) played college basketball at Notre Dame and was later an assistant coach there.