Charleston, W.Va. – The University of Charleston Director of Athletics Dr. Bren Stevens announced the hiring of Ryland Luciano as the Golden Eagles new Head Women's Lacrosse Coach on Wednesday.
"I am pleased to announce Ryland Luciano as the new leader of our Women's Lacrosse Program. Ryland is incredibly bright, passionate, articulate, and possesses a high level of emotional intelligence. With Ryland's many successes at other top NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse programs, he is more than prepared to oversee and inspire a team that is comprised of talented athletes that have been remarkably successful both on and off the field."
Luciano comes to Charleston after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia's College at Wise for two seasons. While at UVA Wise, he assisted in leading the team to its first win over a top 25 team in program history. Luciano focused his teaching on both the physical and mental side of lacrosse to boost the program to success.
Before his time at UVA Wise, Luciano spent time at Newberry College where he was the assistant coach, offensive coordinator, and goalie coach. In his short stint at Newberry, Luciano helped lead two players to All-South Atlantic Conference recognitions.
Prior to his time at Newberry College, Luciano served as the Graduate Assistant Coach at Augsburg University where he earned his Master's of Art in Leadership degree.
Previous to Newberry College, Luciano took his talents overseas where he coached in Germany for a year as the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach of the Harvestehuder Tennis and Hockey Club. During this time Luciano led the team to its first national championship game in eleven years along with an offense and defense ranked 1
st and 2
nd in the country. Luciano then spent the next six months as a generalist teacher for grades 4-8 in Nondalton, Alaska.
Luciano earned a Bachelor of Science in Comprehensive English and Special Education from Edinboro University where he was captain of the Men's Club Lacrosse team. In his junior and senior years, Luciano held the role of Undergraduate Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach.
Luciano will be taking over the Golden Eagles for the 2023-2024 season who are coming off an 8-10 record, 7-3 MEC conference record. Luciano stated, "I believe my approach to player development, lacrosse schemes, and game preparation can allow me to strengthen the Golden Eagle Lacrosse Program."
