“Anthony is a great addition to our staff,†said Ryan. “He's a tireless worker and outstanding recruiter. He's also a home grown Buckeye who has a great passion for the state of Ohio. As a state champion in high school and NCAA qualifier in college – all while in Ohio – he knows firsthand just how special the wrestling community is in this state. His success at Notre Dame has established that program as a dominant force year in and year out. He brings a mindset and philosophy that fits in perfectly with our coaches and athletes. The rapport he's developed with the student-athletes that's he's coached is rooted deeply in his desire to see them succeed in all aspects of their lives. We're excited that the next chapter of his career will be with the Scarlet and Gray.â€
Ralph was with Notre Dame since its inception in 2006-07, serving as an assistant coach until he was named co-head coach in the summer of 2015. Ralph played an instrumental role in making the program a model of success - since joining the Division II ranks in 2012, the Falcons have captured a team national championship (2014), produced 18 national champions, 62 All-Americans and 102 NCAA qualifiers. Prior to 2012, Ralph and the Falcons won the national titles at the NAIA level in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
On the recruiting trail, Ralph was responsible for bringing in the No. 1-ranked classes for five straight years between 2012 and 2016 according to Amateur Wrestling News. Included in that group was Joey Davis, the only undefeated and four-time national champion in NCAA Division II history (133-0).
Ralph wrestled collegiately at Kent State for current Notre Dame head coach Frank Romano. He earned a Mid-American Conference championship at 157 pounds in 1997 when he also qualified for the NCAA Championships.
A native of Cleveland, Ralph was a three-time state placer in high school for St. Peter Chanel (the same program that produced two-time national champion and assistant coach J Jaggers). He won state championships in 1996 and 1997 and compiled a career high-school mark of 125-19. In 2001, Ralph returned to St. Peter Chanel and was an assistant coach for five years. In that span, he coached six state champions, 23 state placers and three Fargo All-Americans.
Ryan's coaching staff now consists of Jaggers, Tervel Dlagnev and Ralph. The credentials of the group includes two Olympic appearances, four NCAA titles, five NCAA finals berths and nine All-America honors. On the sidelines, they've accumulated over 40 years of combined coaching experience.
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