Bio

Ryan DeLong, an eight-time conference Coach of the Year (MCC- 2010, 2012, 2014; NSAA- 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022), is in his 19th season as V-Hawks' head coach. In his time at Viterbo, DeLong has compiled a 529-181 (.745) record, won eight regular-season conference titles, eight conference tournament titles, and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament nine times.

The V-Hawks have at least received votes in NAIA Coaches' Top-25 Poll in each of the past eleven seasons including reaching the No. 1 ranking in 2015 and 2017. His team has finished the season ranked inside the top ten seven times and inside the top five four times.

DeLong has coached 171 Academic All-Conference performers, 32 NAIA All-Americans, and 67 First Team All-Conference players. Additionally, DeLong has coached six conference Players of the Year, five Offensive Players of the Year, one Defensive Player of the Year, four Setters of the Year, 10 Liberos of the Year and four Newcomers of the Year.

In 2021, Viterbo went 39-2, including an undefeated record in NSAA play, en route to regular season and conference tournament Championships. The V-Hawks, led by NSAA Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-American Miah Garant, swept #1 Missouri Baptist early in the season, defeated #11 Bellevue in five sets to win the conference tournament, swept IU Southbend in the opening round of the NAIA tournament , and bested #25 Oregon Tech in five sets in pool play, before falling to #19 Concordia (NE) in five sets. Viterbo finished at #7 in the NAIA Coaches' Postseason  Top-25 Poll.

In 2019, NSAA Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-American Katie Frohmader led Viterbo to a 35-7 overall record, including 13-1 in NSAA play. Viterbo won six of the seven sets they played in the NSAA Super Six Tournament to win the conference crown. Viterbo went 2-1 in pool play at the NAIA Championship, losing only to eventual champion #11 Marian University. The V-Hawks defeated #12 Central Methodist University and #3 Indiana Wesleyan University in bracket play before falling to (RV) Westmont College in the semifinal round. The V-Hawks finished the season ranked #3 in the final NAIA Coaches' Top-25 Poll.

In 2017, the V-Hawks won the NSAA Regular Season and Postseason Tournament titles for the third-straight season, with a perfect 16-0 conference record. Viterbo was ranked inside the top-six the entire season, reaching #1 on October 3 for the second time in school history. At the NAIA National Tournament, the V-Hawks swept pool play and advanced to their third final four in four years. The senior class finished their careers a perfect 57-0 against conference opponents (regular season, postseason, and national tournament).

In 2016, the V-Hawks increased their win total for the fourth straight season, leading the NAIA and tying a school record with 42 victories. Viterbo reached the NAIA National Tournament for the third straight season after winning their third straight conference title. The V-Hawks remained in the NAIA Top 25 all eight polls, extending their streak to 34 straight appearances.

In 2015, Viterbo won an NAIA-best 40 games (40-5) in 2015 and reached the NAIA Final Four for the second consecutive season. The V-Hawks were ranked in the top-10 all season long including one week at No. 1, the highest ranking in school history for any program. Additionally, DeLong and the V-Hawks recorded their third-straight undefeated home schedule.

In 2014, the V-Hawks took it to the limits, Viterbo finished 39-9 overall and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament where they upset No. 1 Rocky Mountain College to reach the Final Four. DeLong's V-Hawks earned all major awards in the conference and had two players collect NAIA All-American honors. Viterbo finished the year No. 4 in the NAIA Top-25 poll.

During his eighth season at the helm, DeLong helped direct the most successful season in school history as the V-Hawks finished 36-8 overall and qualified for the school’s first-ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament. During the 2012 season, the V-Hawks claimed the programs fifth MCC regular-season championship and first-ever MCC tournament title. At the national tournament, Delong and the V-Hawks knocked off four teams ranked ahead of them, including three teams ranked in the top-15 and advanced to the national quarterfinals. They finished the 2012 campaign ranked 8^th in the NAIA Top-25 polls which was the highest-ranking for any volleyball team in school history at the time.

DeLong is not only making his impact on volleyball at Viterbo University but also with the Coulee Region. DeLong serves as the director of the very successful V-Hawk Xtreme Volleyball Club and Viterbo summer volleyball camps. This past club season was the fifth year of having a club program which has grown from two teams (16 players) to 16 teams and over 160 players. The V-Hawk camp program has erupted to include numerous satellite camps at area high schools and reaches over 500 kids every summer.

Coach DeLong has started to make a name for himself in the Midwest as he has been asked to work numerous elite-level camps and speak at coaching conventions. Coach DeLong recently was a presenter at the Minnesota State High School Coaches Convention and worked the Northern Lights Elite Camp with several NCAA I head coaches. He also has worked numerous elite camps including MVI clinics in Minnesota as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sports camp at Luther College.

Prior to coming to Viterbo, Coach DeLong spent three seasons at Aquinas High School (2000-2002) and two seasons at Western Wisconsin Technical College (2003-2004). During those five seasons, DeLong compiled a 95-27 record and won four conference titles and was named the La Crosse Tribune Coach of the Year in 2000.

DeLong graduated from UW-La Crosse in Exercise and Sport Science-Physical Education Teaching. After teaching three years in Special Education, Delong is currently pursuing his masters. DeLong and his wife Kari have three boys, Bradyn, Carter, and Easton, and reside in Holmen where Kari works as a middle school health teacher.