Warren Ryan

Warren Ryan is an Australian former rugby league player (he played centre), and a highly regarded former coach who enjoyed considerable success in the 1980s.

Athlete

He was also an elite track and field athlete, and he representing Australia in the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in the Shot Put coming seventh in a field of sixteen with a throw of 51'8" (15.75m). [http://www.athletics.com.au/history/athletes/athlete718.htm]

Coach

He coached the Canterbury Bulldogs to three Grand Final appearances in four seasons between 1984 and 1987. He also coached the Newtown Jets, Balmain Tigers, Western Suburbs Magpies and the Newcastle Knights after an earlier career where he played for the St. George Dragons, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and represented Country NSW Origin.

With his record of two premierships and seven grand finals with three different teams in the 1980s Ryan is regarded as one of the great coaches of that era. His teams were known as excellent defenders and Ryan has been credited as the creator of the "umbrella" or "up and in" defensive style.

Many notable current and former first grade coaches including Phil Gould, Tommy Raudonikis, Chris Anderson, Steve Folkes, Andrew Farrar, Wayne Pearce and Michael Hagan, played in Ryan-coached sides. Collectively they account for eight premierships and fifteen grand final appearances since 1981, as well as seven State of Origin series victories and a Rugby League World Cup victory.

Broadcaster and journalist

Ryan is currently a member of the ABC Grandstand rugby league commentary team. He is a wonderful "comments man" - perhaps the best around with his amazing experience of League.

Family

In April 2006 Ryan came to wider attention when his son, Matthew died of heart failure at age 24 following an overdose of the party drug, "gamma hydroxybutyrate" (GHB).

External links

* [http://www.athletics.com.au/history/athletes/athlete718.htm Australian Athletics Historical Results: Warren Ryan (NSW)]

Coaching career