Ryan Stokes brought a relative abundance of experience to the Greyhound staff as the new Running Backs Coach in 2018.
A native of Merrillville, Ind., Stokes has spent the better part of a decade playing or coaching at the Division II level. First a student-athlete at Grand Valley State University, he moved on to coach successful football teams at Saint Joseph’s College before returning to GVSU for the 2017 season while earning his master’s degree.
In 2018, Stokes came to UIndy and help the Greyhounds to a 10-2 record, a GLVC title and a NCAA DII playoff win. Stokes also coached GLVC Offensive Player of the Year Al McKeller to a 1,300-rushing-yard campaign and a Harlon Hill Award candidacy.
Immediately before coming to UIndy as a graduate assistant in 2017, Stokes helped Grand Valley become the GLIAC’s top offense, leading the conference in scoring, rushing average and red zone percentage. With Saint Joe’s, Stokes mentored Braxton Shelton, who led the GLVC in rushing on the way to becoming the Pumas’ all-time leading rusher.
Stokes was named Recruiting Coordinator at SJC at just 25 years of age. He also ran the Pumas team camp and social media. In addition, Stokes earned an NFL Film Study Internship with the Cleveland Browns.
As a player, Stokes was a kicker for perennial-power Grand Valley. He was the team’s second-leading scorer in 2011 and was a two-time Academic All-GLIAC honoree. The Lakers advanced to the DII national championship game during his freshman year in 2009.
