Sweeney Named Columbia Men's Basketball Head Coach

July 13, 2026

(Story provided by Columbia Athletic Communications)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Columbia College Director of Athletics Glen Crawford has announced the promotion of associate men's basketball coach Ryan Sweeney as the second head coach of the program.

"We're excited to have Ryan step into the head coach's role for our basketball program," said AD Crawford. "He's continuing to build a strong culture that was established within the program already, and I'm confident he'll bring that same leadership and energy to the head coaching position."

"I am excited and grateful to have the opportunity to be the head men's basketball coach at Columbia College! I'd like to thank our Athletic Director, Glen Crawford, and our President, Dr. John Dozier, for their belief and support," Sweeney said. "I am looking forward to building off the foundation that Coach Jake Deer has created and am excited to continue to work with our terrific Koala student-athletes.

"Columbia College is a special place for me and my wife, and having the opportunity to lead this program is a great honor. I'm excited to get to work! Go Koalas!"

Sweeney was named as the first-ever assistant coach for the Koalas in the summer of 2024 and helped lead the team to a 14-win, .500 season in his first year before being named the Associate Head Men's Coach in 2025. During his second year this past season, Sweeney guided the team to a winning conference record at 10-9 and the 5th seed in the conference tournament along with a 13-win season.

The Koalas return eight letter-winners to the 2026-27 roster while bringing in 11 others.

Prior to coming to Columbia, Sweeney spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Ave Maria University (FL) from 2021-2024 where he helped the team to a 22-10 record (2023-24) and an NAIA National Tournament Second Round appearance. During his tenure at AMU, the men's basketball team earned a trip to the Sun Conference Tournament Championship, an NAIA National Tournament at-large berth, and the first NAIA National Tournament victory in program history. In addition to his duties as an assistant coach, Sweeney ran the program's developmental teams as well.

Before coaching at Ave Maria, Sweeney spent two seasons (2019-2021) with NCAA Div. I Gardner-Webb University (NC), serving as video coordinator and graduate assistant.

Prior to Gardner-Webb, Sweeney served as a student manager for four seasons (2015-2019) with the Div. I Saint Louis University (MO) men's basketball team. During his time with Saint Louis, he served as the assistant video coordinator while also assisting in daily basketball operations. In his last season, Saint Louis captured the Atlantic 10 title and a trip to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

Sweeney also has previous experience working with IMG Academy in Florida in 2018, the Hoop Group Elite in 2017, and numerous basketball camps across the country.

A native of Summit, NJ, Sweeney graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Louis University and obtained his Master's Degree in Sport Studies & Education from Gardner-Webb University in 2021. He resides in Columbia with his wife, Morgan.