Ryan Blackwell joins Syracuse’s staff as director of player engagement
Former Syracuse player Ryan Blackwell joined Gerry McNamara’s staff as director of player engagement, SU announced Wednesday. Leonardo Eriman | Daily Orange File Photo
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Former Syracuse player Ryan Blackwell has joined the Orange’s staff as their director of player engagement, the program announced in a Wednesday press release. Blackwell followed new SU head coach Gerry McNamara from Siena, where he served as an assistant coach for the last two seasons.
Per the release, Blackwell will be “the program’s primary connector to its extended network of alumni.” He’ll plan engagement events, such as alumni weekends and mentorship opportunities for current student-athletes.
Blackwell originally started his college career at Illinois in 1995 but transferred to SU following his freshman season. After sitting out a year, he accumulated 1,175 points and finished averaging 11.8 points and 7.8 rebounds with the Orange.
Following a 10-year professional career overseas, Blackwell coached in the Japanese B League before spending a year back in the United States at IMG Academy. He eventually returned to central New York, helming Liverpool High School from 2015-24 and winning five sectional titles.
He got his first college coaching gig at Siena over the last two years. In those seasons under McNamara, he helped the Saints improve from four wins to 14 to 23 in just two years, the latter culminating in a March Madness berth.
Blackwell is just the latest addition of a near-complete revamp of the Orange’s staff. McNamara retained Peter Corasaniti as its associate athletic director of basketball and operations, then added Jamal Brunt, Ryan Daly, Ben Lee and Arinze Onuaku as assistant coaches.
The crew will look to bring the Orange back to the NCAA Tournament after five straight seasons missing the big dance.
