Ryan Osborne was named the new head coach of the men's soccer program on March 4, 2025. Osborne spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Wisconsin. He was previously the head coach at Mercyhurst.
“I am honored and humbled to be named the new head men’s soccer coach at Wofford College,” said Osborne. “I would like to thank Scott Kull, his administration, and President Samhat for this wonderful opportunity. I would also like to thank my wife for her unwavering support and our family for their never-ending encouragement. I am forever appreciative of Neil Jones and the University of Wisconsin for the opportunities they have provided to me over the last 2 seasons. Lastly, I would not be here without the consistent support of my mentors who have helped me grow as a person and a coach.
“I cannot wait to get to Spartanburg and get started with the team,” continued Osborne. “I am excited for this challenge and we will do everything in our power to be the best we can be on the field, off the field and in the community.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Osborne as the new head coach of our men’s soccer program,” said Scott Kull, Robert D. Atkins ’65 Director of Athletics at Wofford. “Ryan’s impressive track record as a coach, his dedication to developing student-athletes both on and off the field, and his vision for the future success of our program made him the ideal choice. His success at Mercyhurst University, where he built a championship-winning team, and his experience at the University of Wisconsin as a recruiter and assistant coach demonstrate his ability to lead and inspire. We are excited for the future of Wofford men’s soccer under his leadership.”
In 2024 at Wisconsin, the team was 7-5-3 overall, which included top-25 wins over Kentucky and UCLA. Forward Dean Boltz was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned spots on the All-Big Ten Second Team and All-Freshman team. Matthew Zachemski joined Boltz on the all-freshman team. Boltz was drafted No. 3 overall by the Chicago Fire in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.
During his first season with the Badgers in 2023, the team posted a 6-5-6 overall record with a win over #2 Kentucky and ties to #23 Indiana and #13 Northwestern. Three players, Tim Bielic, Max Keenan, and Birgir Baldvinsson made the All-Big Ten Second Team.
Osborne led Mercyhurst to a 19-1-1 record in 2022, helping it win the PSAC Tournament Championship and a 10-0-0 regular-season conference mark to claim the top spot in the league. The school's historic season continued into the 2023 NCAA Division II Tournament where it earned a No. 3 seed and a home game. The program ranked as high as No. 2 during the season.
Osborne and his staff were named 2022 Atlantic Region Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches Association. The staff also helped the team average 3.5 goals per game, scoring 74 goals to rank third in the nation. It let up just 0.3 goals per game with a national-low total of six goals allowed. The Lakers' 68 goal differential ranked third in the nation, while their .903 save percentage led the country.
Mercyhurst saw three players become DII CCA All-Americans, four named to the DII CCA All-Atlantic Team and seven earned All-PSAC honors.
In three-plus seasons under Osborne, Mercyhurst went 37-5-3, including 17-1-2 in conference play. He started at MU in January of 2020 before COVID-19 hit and directed the team to a 6-0-0 mark in exhibition games during the spring of 2021. That fall, the Lakers posted a 12-4-2 record. He boasts a pair of PSAC West Coach of the Year honors from 2021 and 2022.
Before Mercyhurst, Osborne spent time at Notre Dame College in Ohio as associate head coach where he helped the Falcons to a No. 23 national ranking and a total of 47 victories in four seasons. The 2018 team reached the NCAA tournament. He also spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Marietta College.
The Wakefield, England, native got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Charleston.
Osborne also spent two years as head coach of Cleveland SC (2018-19) in the National Premier Soccer League, directing the squad to a 15-5-2 record and a national final four appearance.
He earned his degree in physical education in 2013 and a master's degree in strategic leadership in 2014 from Charleston. As a player, he was twice named to the Daktronics All-Region team and an All-WVIAC honor in 2011. During his time with the program, the team won four consecutive regular-season and conference tournament titles.
He continued his playing career with the West Virginia Chaos of the Premier Development League (PDL) in 2014, winning the South Atlantic Division as both a forward and attacking midfielder. He competed with the Barnsley FC program as a youth.
He becomes the sixth head coach in Wofford men's soccer history, which dates back to 1975.
