Ryan Among NB Hall's Class Of '26
(FREDERICTON, NB) Long-time UNB REDS wrestling coach Don Ryan and former UNB men’s hockey coach Tom Coolen were among those inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame this past weekend.
“To be inducted into the Hall of Fame for a sport that has shaped my life, my values, and my purpose is something I never set out to achieve, but something I’ll forever cherish,” said Ryan.
Before coaching, Ryan was a student-athlete at UNB.
After graduating, he served as an assistant coach in 1990 and 1991 before becoming UNB’s head coach in September of 1992.
“Coaching at UNB is a major reason for my Hall of Fame induction,” said Ryan. “UNB allowed me to recruit some of the best athletes in New Brunswick and Canada to continue to pursue their athletic and academic goals.”
Coolen worked two stints as a coach with UNB’s men’s hockey team.
He spent the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons as an assistant before becoming the team’s head coach for the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.
As head coach, Coolen was 28-22-1-1 (W-L-T-OTL).
“Don’s name is synonymous with wrestling, not just at UNB but in Canada,” said Jeff Speedy, UNB’s Athletic Director and a former coaching colleague of Ryan’s. “He’s built a club and university wrestling program that is known and respected by everyone in the sport.”
Under Ryan’s guidance, UNB won 13 Atlantic conference championships. He was named coach of the year in the Atlantic conference 16 times.
At the national championship level, UNB has finished second in the team standings twice (2010, 2011), as well as third (2015) and fourth (2014).
Ryan has also coached several student-athletes to significant individual accomplishments.
“Helen Hennick winning her first national championship in 1998 and Scott Seeley winning gold in 2000 are a couple of highlights,” said Ryan. “Team wise, we were second by one point in 2011.”
Internationally, Ryan coached UNB’s Alyssa Cleaves to a gold medal in the women’s 48-kilogram weight class at the 2016 FISU World University Wrestling Championships, in Turkey. Teammate Samantha Stewart earned the silver medal in the 53-kilogram weight class.
Most recently, Ryan was behind UNB’s Koen Poirier’s bronze medal effort at the 2026 U SPORTS Wrestling Championships.
“I’m very proud of all the student-athletes who’ve worked very hard on and off the mats,” said Ryan. “Many graduates are now friends and it’s great to see them grow and start the next chapters of their lives.”
Along with his work at UNB, Ryan plays significant roles with Wrestling Canada.
“Don has represented Wrestling Canada for years on the international stage,” added Speedy. “He has spent countless hours growing the sport, developing wrestlers and supporting his athletes. Don truly has had a very successful and meaningful career.”
With Ryan as head coach, UNB wrestlers have won a total of 38 national medals, including 18 gold. 27 of his student-athletes have earned All-Canadian status.
Earlier this month, both Ryan and Coolen were welcomed onto the Fredericton Sports Wall of Fame.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
PHOTO: New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame