Emily Ryan has been named assistant coach for the Iowa State women's basketball team, stepping into the role vacated by Latoja Schaben, who recently accepted a position at Texas State.
A Strategic Move for the Program
The appointment follows a season in which Ryan served as a graduate assistant, a role that came after a five‑year tenure as the Cyclones' point guard that rewrote the school's record books.
Ryan's playing résumé reads like a Hall of Fame highlight reel: she finished among the top five in program history for assists, steals and blocks, and her 993 career assists place her seventh in NCAA women's basketball history.
The staff reshuffle follows the retirement of associate head coach Jodi Steyer and Schaben's departure, with Caroline McCombs elevated to associate head coach, creating a clear pathway for Ryan's advancement.
Head coach Bill Fennelly praised Ryan's basketball IQ and her ability to mentor the next generation of Cyclone point guards, noting that her promotion reflects the continuity and ambition of the staff as they look ahead to the next season.
Fans and analysts alike see Ryan's elevation as a signal that the program values internal development, hoping her deep understanding of the game will translate into continued success on the court.