July 7, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Ryan Theis, formerly an assistant volleyball coach at Indiana, was recently named an assistant coach at Northwestern by Wildcat coach Keylor Chan. At NU, Theis will work with the setters and match preparation while coordinating all recruiting efforts.
"We are thrilled to have Ryan join our staff," said Chan. "He has great experience in the Big Ten and has Midwest ties, which benefits us in recruiting and game tactics. I expect him to step in right away and be a part of this program's continued success."
Theis spent two seasons with the Hoosiers as an assistant coach. The Madison, Wis. native oversaw fall and spring tournaments at Indiana and worked with scouting and film breakdown. On the court, he worked with the setters in addition to practice and game preparation.
Prior to coaching at Indiana, Theis spent two seasons as the top assistant and head recruiter for the volleyball program at Eastern Illinois University.
Theis was the head coach of the men's volleyball club at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1997-00. He also served as a student assistant coach for the women's team from 1999-00 and was director of competition for the club-level Midwest 10 Volleyball Conference from 1999-01.
As a player, Theis was a setter at UW-Milwaukee in 1996. Following the elimination of the men's volleyball program, he competed at the club level from 1997-00 and was a two-time All-Midwest 10 selection as a setter and three-time team captain.
Theis received a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from UW-Milwaukee in 2000 and earned a master's degree in athletic administration/sport management from Eastern Illinois in 2002. He presently sits on the Assistant Coaches Committee of the American Volleyball Coaches Association.