Men's Soccer
James, Ryan
Ryan James
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- rljames@bgsu.edu
Ryan James one of the top players in BGSU men's soccer history, returned to his alma mater in 2024, joining the staff as an assistant coach. In his first season back, James helped the Falcons to one of the most successful campaigns in recent memory.
The 2024 season saw the Falcons finish with an overall record of 12-6-2, BGSU's fifth winning season in the last six years. The Orange and Brown posted a 4-3-1 record in Missouri Valley Conference action, tying for third in the nine-team league, and BGSU then picked up a pair of wins to advance to the MVC Tournament final, before falling in overtime.
The Falcons earned a veritable plethora of honors in the '24 campaign. Kyle Cusimano was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team, with Trace Terry earning second-team honors. It marked the first time in 25 years that BGSU had had an All-American, and the first time in program history that the Falcons boasted two All-Americans in the same season.
Terry also earned All-America honors from TopDrawerSoccer.com, as he was named to that website's 'Best XI' Third Team.
Cusimano was named the MVC's Defensive Player of the Year, with Terry and Alberto Anaya joining him on the All-MVC First Team. BGSU also had a pair of second-team selections in Brendan Graves and Bennett Painter.
Not surprisingly, Cusimano and Terry had been named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team before going on to earn All-America honors. And, Cusimano was named a semifinalist for the 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy, the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer. Only 15 players in the nation were named semifinalists.
Graves, Terry and Jake Lane all were named to the MVC's All-Tournament Team, and Lane was the recipient of the MVC Elite 18 Award, which is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the finals site of each of the league's 18 championships.
BGSU led the league with six players named to the MVC's Scholar-Athlete Team in 2024. Lane and Andrew Shaffer made the first team, with Anaya, Cusimano, Graves and Josh Erlandson all chosen to the second team. BG also had six players named to the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team.
In December of 2024, Terry was chosen by Seattle Sounders FC in the third round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. He became the fifth overall Falcon in the Nichols Era, and the second underclassman in three years, to be drafted.
James, a four-year letterwinner for the Falcons from 2012-15, earned a ton of honors and awards while with the program. He played in all 79 of BGSU's matches during his four seasons, scoring 33 career points on nine goals and 15 assists.
"Ryan is an incredible player and person, he understands the essence of our program, and his experience as a professional will make him an invaluable resource for our current players," said Nichols at the time of James's hiring. "We are thrilled and fortunate to have Ryan return to Bowling Green."
James, who was named to the All-Mid-American Conference Team as both a junior and a senior, was one of just 30 national finalists for the Senior CLASS Award in his senior season, and was the male recipient of BGSU's Medal of Honor.
He was invited to the adidas MLS Player Combine in January of 2016, and was chosen in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City just one week later. James became just the second player in program history to be selected in the MLS SuperDraft.
During an eight-year professional playing career, James played seven seasons in the United Soccer League (USL) – for the Rochester Rhinos, Nashville SC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Birmingham Legion – before joining the Halifax Wanderers of the Canadian Premier League. He was named Rookie of the Year for the Rhinos and was the MVP of the Riverhounds in 2020.
James received the community service award while with the Wanderers in 2023. Â He played in over 200 professional matches during his career.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, James has over a decade of coaching experience with Etobicoke SC, primarily working with the skills team for the club while also serving as an assistant coach for multiple age groups during his 12-year stint.
James also coached with both Birmingham Futsal and Indian Springs High School (Ala.) during his time with the Legion. He helped Indian Springs to a state championship.
A 2016 graduate of BGSU, James earned a US Soccer C License in 2021 and a US Soccer B License the following year.
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The 2024 season saw the Falcons finish with an overall record of 12-6-2, BGSU's fifth winning season in the last six years. The Orange and Brown posted a 4-3-1 record in Missouri Valley Conference action, tying for third in the nine-team league, and BGSU then picked up a pair of wins to advance to the MVC Tournament final, before falling in overtime.
The Falcons earned a veritable plethora of honors in the '24 campaign. Kyle Cusimano was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team, with Trace Terry earning second-team honors. It marked the first time in 25 years that BGSU had had an All-American, and the first time in program history that the Falcons boasted two All-Americans in the same season.
Terry also earned All-America honors from TopDrawerSoccer.com, as he was named to that website's 'Best XI' Third Team.
Cusimano was named the MVC's Defensive Player of the Year, with Terry and Alberto Anaya joining him on the All-MVC First Team. BGSU also had a pair of second-team selections in Brendan Graves and Bennett Painter.
Not surprisingly, Cusimano and Terry had been named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team before going on to earn All-America honors. And, Cusimano was named a semifinalist for the 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy, the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer. Only 15 players in the nation were named semifinalists.
Graves, Terry and Jake Lane all were named to the MVC's All-Tournament Team, and Lane was the recipient of the MVC Elite 18 Award, which is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the finals site of each of the league's 18 championships.
BGSU led the league with six players named to the MVC's Scholar-Athlete Team in 2024. Lane and Andrew Shaffer made the first team, with Anaya, Cusimano, Graves and Josh Erlandson all chosen to the second team. BG also had six players named to the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team.
In December of 2024, Terry was chosen by Seattle Sounders FC in the third round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. He became the fifth overall Falcon in the Nichols Era, and the second underclassman in three years, to be drafted.
James, a four-year letterwinner for the Falcons from 2012-15, earned a ton of honors and awards while with the program. He played in all 79 of BGSU's matches during his four seasons, scoring 33 career points on nine goals and 15 assists.
"Ryan is an incredible player and person, he understands the essence of our program, and his experience as a professional will make him an invaluable resource for our current players," said Nichols at the time of James's hiring. "We are thrilled and fortunate to have Ryan return to Bowling Green."
James, who was named to the All-Mid-American Conference Team as both a junior and a senior, was one of just 30 national finalists for the Senior CLASS Award in his senior season, and was the male recipient of BGSU's Medal of Honor.
He was invited to the adidas MLS Player Combine in January of 2016, and was chosen in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City just one week later. James became just the second player in program history to be selected in the MLS SuperDraft.
During an eight-year professional playing career, James played seven seasons in the United Soccer League (USL) – for the Rochester Rhinos, Nashville SC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Birmingham Legion – before joining the Halifax Wanderers of the Canadian Premier League. He was named Rookie of the Year for the Rhinos and was the MVP of the Riverhounds in 2020.
James received the community service award while with the Wanderers in 2023. Â He played in over 200 professional matches during his career.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, James has over a decade of coaching experience with Etobicoke SC, primarily working with the skills team for the club while also serving as an assistant coach for multiple age groups during his 12-year stint.
James also coached with both Birmingham Futsal and Indian Springs High School (Ala.) during his time with the Legion. He helped Indian Springs to a state championship.
A 2016 graduate of BGSU, James earned a US Soccer C License in 2021 and a US Soccer B License the following year.
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Off The Pitch: Andrew Shaffer (Sept. 11, 2025)
Thursday, September 11
Eric Nichols Post-Match Interview (Sept. 5, 2025)
Saturday, September 06
Off The Pitch: Bennett Painter (Sept. 3, 2025)
Thursday, September 04
Eric Nichols Post-Match Interview (Sept. 1, 2025)
Monday, September 01
