Ryan McCarthy (basketball)

Ryan McCarthy
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamFresno State
ConferenceMountain West
Record15–18 (.455)
Biographical details
Alma materNorthwest Nazarene (2006)
Playing career
2002–2006Northwest Nazarene
2006Central Oregon Hotshots
2006–2007TuS Bramsche
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2007–2010Northwest Nazarene (asst.)
2010–2011Northwest Nazarene (acting HC)
2011–2012Northwest Nazarene (assoc. HC)
2012–2025Alaska Anchorage
2025–presentFresno State
Head coaching record
Overall15–18 (.455) (NCAA D-I)
323–80 (.801) (NCAA D-II)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
  • 7x GNAC Coach of the Year

Ryan McCarthy is an American basketball coach and former player, who is the current head coach of the Fresno State Bulldogs women's basketball team.[1] Prior to Fresno State, McCarthy spent 13-years as head coach of the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves women's basketball team, where he compiled a 309–67 (.822) record.[2]

Early life and playing career

McCarthy grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and attended Alaska Anchorage Seawolves basketball games in his youth.[2] After graduating from high school, McCarthy attended Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), graduating in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in social science education.[1][3] While at NNU, McCarthy was a four-year starter on the Nighthawks men's basketball team.[3]

After graduating, McCarthy played professional basketball briefly for the Central Oregon Hotshots of the International Basketball League and TuS Bramsche in Germany.[4]

Coaching career

On April 14, 2025, McCarthy was hired as the 12th head coach in Fresno State Bulldogs program history.[1][5]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Northwest Nazarene (GNAC) (2010–2011)
2010–11 Northwest Nazarene 14–13 9–9 T-6th
Northwest Nazarene: 14–13 (.519) 9–9 (.500)
Alaska Anchorage (GNAC) (2012–2025)
2012–13 Alaska Anchorage 17–10 11–7 T-3rd
2013–14 Alaska Anchorage 19–9 12–6 T-3rd NCAA Division II First Round
2014–15 Alaska Anchorage 29–3 17–1 1st NCAA Division II First Round
2015–16 Alaska Anchorage 38–3 18–2 1st NCAA Division II runner-up
2016–17 Alaska Anchorage 30–2 20–0 1st NCAA Division II Second Round
2017–18 Alaska Anchorage 27–5 18–2 T-1st NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen
2018–19 Alaska Anchorage 30–3 19–1 1st NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen
2019–20 Alaska Anchorage 31–2 19–1 1st NCAA Tournament cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020–21 Alaska Anchorage 3–0 0–0 N/A Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021–22 Alaska Anchorage 20–7 12–4 2nd NCAA Division II First Round
2022–23 Alaska Anchorage 18–10 10–8 4th
2023–24 Alaska Anchorage 19–9 13–5 3rd
2024–25 Alaska Anchorage 28–5 16–2 1st NCAA Division II Second Round
Alaska Anchorage: 309–67 (.822) 185–39 (.826)
Fresno State (Mountain West) (2025–present)
2025–26 Fresno State 15–18 8–12 7th
Fresno State: 15–18 (.455) 8–12 (.400)
Total: 338–98 (.775)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Sources:[4][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ryan McCarthy - Women's Basketball Coach". Fresno State Athletics. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Reed, Josh. "UAA women's basketball head coach Ryan McCarthy is heading to Division I Fresno State". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Ainsworth, Nolin (April 14, 2025). "UAA women's basketball coach Ryan McCarthy hired by Division I program". KTUU-TV. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  4. ^ a b "2025 26 Fresno State WBB Media Guide" (PDF). Fresno State Athletics. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  5. ^ "Fresno State women's basketball introduces Ryan McCarthy as new head coach". ABC30 Fresno. April 22, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  6. ^ "UAA Women's Basketball Records, History & Awards". University of Alaska Anchorage. March 27, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2026.