Football
McNamara, Ryan
Ryan McNamara
- Title:
- Linebackers
- E-Mail Address:
- mcnam1rk@cmich.edu
- Phone:
- (989) 774-3896
- Year at CMU:
- 3rd year at CMU
- Hometown:
- Orlando, Fla.
- Alma Mater/Year:
- Florida/2005
- Experience:
- 17th year
Ryan McNamara enters his second year as Central Michigan’s linebackers coach after spending the 2022 season as the program’s General Manager, overseeing the recruiting and player personnel departments. McNamara and the recruiting department were responsible for signing the No. 1 recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference in 2023.
Over his 17-year coaching career, McNamara has helped guide 10 teams to bowl game appearances. A total of 12 of his former players were either drafted or spent multiple years in the National Football League. He also has spent a combined 11 years in the Southeastern Conference at both Florida and Mississippi State.
McNamara arrived at Central Michigan prior to the 2022 season after serving seven years as the defensive backs assistant at the University of Florida (2015-21). While at Florida, he helped guide the Gators to five bowl games, along with SEC East Championships in 2015, 2016, and 2020. He was initially hired by current Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain in 2015 and helped lead the Gators to two SEC East titles, two SEC Championship Game appearances, two bowl games (Citrus in 2015, Outback in 2016), and a 22-12 record in his first three years. Florida led the nation in pass efficiency defense in 2016 (98.87). McNamara remained as the defensive backs assistant under head coach Dan Mullen for the following four seasons (2018-21) and helped the Gators compile another SEC East Division title in 2020, a combined 34-15 record, and three bowl game appearances (Peach in 2018, Orange in 2019, and Cotton in 2020). In 2021, the Gators led the SEC in pass defense (179.0 yards allowed per game). McNamara worked closely with NFL first round draft picks Kaiir Elam and CJ Henderson.
Prior to his stint at Florida, McNamara worked as the defensive backs coach at Valdosta State University. He oversaw the punt return and kickoff units and was the recruiting coordinator at Valdosta State in 2014. It marked his second stint in Valdosta as he served three years from 2007-09 as the tight ends coach and defensive graduate assistant (defensive backs/linebackers). Combining his four-year tenure at Valdosta State, McNamara played a role in the Blazers’ 2007 NCAA Division II National Championship along with three NCAA Division II playoff appearances. In 2014, McNamara’s punt block unit blocked four punts. At Valdosta State, he coached Kenny Moore, who was the highest-paid slot cornerback in the NFL in 2019.
McNamara also spent a combined four years at Mississippi State as the program’s defensive quality control assistant and graduate assistant (linebackers, defensive backs, and special teams) under Mullen from 2010-13. During his time in Starkville, the Bulldogs advanced to four straight bowl games, including the 2010 Gator Bowl, 2011 Music City Bowl, 2012 Gator Bowl, and 2013 Liberty Bowl, and compiled a combined 31-21 overall record. During his time at Mississippi State, McNamara and the defensive staff developed “Juice Points” which brought a heightened level of energy to gamedays and practice. McNamara mentored nickelback Jonathan Banks, who won the Thorpe Award in 2012 as the nation’s best defensive back. He also coached SAM linebacker Matt Wells to Freshman All-SEC honors in 2011.
Born in Norcross, Ga., McNamara earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 2005. He earned a master of business administration at Valdosta State in 2009 and received a Master’s in community college education from Mississippi State in 2012. From 2003-06, McNamara worked at EA Sports-Tiburon in Maitland, Fla. where he helped to produce the Madden NFL football game.
He resides in Mount Pleasant with his wife Jennie and daughters Elsie and Quinn.
THE McNAMARA FILE
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, University of Florida, 2005
Master of Business Administration, Valdosta State University, 2009
Master of Community College Education, Mississippi State University, 2012
Coaching Career
Linebackers Coach, Central Michigan University, 2023-current
General Manager, Central Michigan University, 2022
Defensive Backs Assistant, University of Florida, 2015-21
Defensive Backs Coach/Punt Return and Kickoff Units/Recruiting Coordinator, Valdosta State University, 2014
Defensive Quality Control Coach, Mississippi State University, 2013
Linebackers/Defensive Backs Graduate Assistant, Mississippi State University, 2010-12
Tight Ends Coach, Valdosta State University, 2009
Defensive Backs/Linebackers/Special Teams, Valdosta State University, 2007-08
Over his 17-year coaching career, McNamara has helped guide 10 teams to bowl game appearances. A total of 12 of his former players were either drafted or spent multiple years in the National Football League. He also has spent a combined 11 years in the Southeastern Conference at both Florida and Mississippi State.
McNamara arrived at Central Michigan prior to the 2022 season after serving seven years as the defensive backs assistant at the University of Florida (2015-21). While at Florida, he helped guide the Gators to five bowl games, along with SEC East Championships in 2015, 2016, and 2020. He was initially hired by current Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain in 2015 and helped lead the Gators to two SEC East titles, two SEC Championship Game appearances, two bowl games (Citrus in 2015, Outback in 2016), and a 22-12 record in his first three years. Florida led the nation in pass efficiency defense in 2016 (98.87). McNamara remained as the defensive backs assistant under head coach Dan Mullen for the following four seasons (2018-21) and helped the Gators compile another SEC East Division title in 2020, a combined 34-15 record, and three bowl game appearances (Peach in 2018, Orange in 2019, and Cotton in 2020). In 2021, the Gators led the SEC in pass defense (179.0 yards allowed per game). McNamara worked closely with NFL first round draft picks Kaiir Elam and CJ Henderson.
Prior to his stint at Florida, McNamara worked as the defensive backs coach at Valdosta State University. He oversaw the punt return and kickoff units and was the recruiting coordinator at Valdosta State in 2014. It marked his second stint in Valdosta as he served three years from 2007-09 as the tight ends coach and defensive graduate assistant (defensive backs/linebackers). Combining his four-year tenure at Valdosta State, McNamara played a role in the Blazers’ 2007 NCAA Division II National Championship along with three NCAA Division II playoff appearances. In 2014, McNamara’s punt block unit blocked four punts. At Valdosta State, he coached Kenny Moore, who was the highest-paid slot cornerback in the NFL in 2019.
McNamara also spent a combined four years at Mississippi State as the program’s defensive quality control assistant and graduate assistant (linebackers, defensive backs, and special teams) under Mullen from 2010-13. During his time in Starkville, the Bulldogs advanced to four straight bowl games, including the 2010 Gator Bowl, 2011 Music City Bowl, 2012 Gator Bowl, and 2013 Liberty Bowl, and compiled a combined 31-21 overall record. During his time at Mississippi State, McNamara and the defensive staff developed “Juice Points” which brought a heightened level of energy to gamedays and practice. McNamara mentored nickelback Jonathan Banks, who won the Thorpe Award in 2012 as the nation’s best defensive back. He also coached SAM linebacker Matt Wells to Freshman All-SEC honors in 2011.
Born in Norcross, Ga., McNamara earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 2005. He earned a master of business administration at Valdosta State in 2009 and received a Master’s in community college education from Mississippi State in 2012. From 2003-06, McNamara worked at EA Sports-Tiburon in Maitland, Fla. where he helped to produce the Madden NFL football game.
He resides in Mount Pleasant with his wife Jennie and daughters Elsie and Quinn.
THE McNAMARA FILE
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, University of Florida, 2005
Master of Business Administration, Valdosta State University, 2009
Master of Community College Education, Mississippi State University, 2012
Coaching Career
Linebackers Coach, Central Michigan University, 2023-current
General Manager, Central Michigan University, 2022
Defensive Backs Assistant, University of Florida, 2015-21
Defensive Backs Coach/Punt Return and Kickoff Units/Recruiting Coordinator, Valdosta State University, 2014
Defensive Quality Control Coach, Mississippi State University, 2013
Linebackers/Defensive Backs Graduate Assistant, Mississippi State University, 2010-12
Tight Ends Coach, Valdosta State University, 2009
Defensive Backs/Linebackers/Special Teams, Valdosta State University, 2007-08
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