Football
Beard, Ryan

Ryan Beard
- Title:
- Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties
- Email:
- beard1r@cmich.edu
- Phone:
- (989) 774-3896
Ryan Beard was named by coach Jim McElwain as CMU's safeties/special teams coach in February, 2019.
Beard served as an assistant during the 2017-18 seasons at Louisville, starting as the defensive backs coach and in quality control before moving on to become the Cardinals’ linebackers coach and their co-special teams coordinator.
Among those who Beard coached at Louisville are Jaire Alexander, who was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL draft; 2014 Jim Thorpe Award winner Gerod Holliman; and James Sample, a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As the defensive backs coach at Western Kentucky in 2016, Beard helped lead the HIlltoppers to the Conference USA championship and a win in the Boca Raton Bowl.
As a defensive back at Western Kentucky from 2007-11, Beard was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection and was named to the league’s all-freshman squad and its all-academic team. In 2011, he earned the Western Kentucky Iron Man Award.
Beard holds two degrees from Western Kentucky: a bachelor of science with a major in business management, and a master of science in recreation and sport administration.
Ryan Beard coaching resumé
2017-18: Louisville (defensive back/linebackers/co-special teams)
2016: Western Kentucky (defensive backs)
2015: Northern Michigan (defensive backs)
2014: Louisville (defensive backs)
2012-13: Western Kentucky (graduate assistant-defensive backs)
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Beard served as an assistant during the 2017-18 seasons at Louisville, starting as the defensive backs coach and in quality control before moving on to become the Cardinals’ linebackers coach and their co-special teams coordinator.
Among those who Beard coached at Louisville are Jaire Alexander, who was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL draft; 2014 Jim Thorpe Award winner Gerod Holliman; and James Sample, a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As the defensive backs coach at Western Kentucky in 2016, Beard helped lead the HIlltoppers to the Conference USA championship and a win in the Boca Raton Bowl.
As a defensive back at Western Kentucky from 2007-11, Beard was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection and was named to the league’s all-freshman squad and its all-academic team. In 2011, he earned the Western Kentucky Iron Man Award.
Beard holds two degrees from Western Kentucky: a bachelor of science with a major in business management, and a master of science in recreation and sport administration.
Ryan Beard coaching resumé
2017-18: Louisville (defensive back/linebackers/co-special teams)
2016: Western Kentucky (defensive backs)
2015: Northern Michigan (defensive backs)
2014: Louisville (defensive backs)
2012-13: Western Kentucky (graduate assistant-defensive backs)
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