Kansas Wesleyan University

Ryan Cooper has been the Head Softball Coach at Kansas Wesleyan since March 2022.

In 2025, the Coyotes finished 23-23 overall and 14-12 in the KCAC, earning a playoff berth as the No. 8 seed in the tournament. The Coyotes again bounced back from a slow start in the KCAC season to finish strong using a sweep of the Bethany Swedes in a weather-delayed finish to the second game of the doubleheader. KWU's run to the playoffs was also assisted by splits with two of the top teams in the conference in Avila and Evangel. The Coyotes had four All-KCAC picks led by Keira Hammen selected to the first-team. The Coyotes had 16 Academic All-KCAC selections, and 10 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes. 

In 2024, Cooper led the Coyotes to a six win improvement from his first season leading the team. KWU finished 24-20 overall and 13-13 in the KCAC. After starting the conference season 2-10, KWU finished 11-3 the rest of the way in conference play, including a sweep of Bethany in the regular season finale to qualify for the KCAC tournament. KWU had four All-KCAC selections led by first-team pick Sydnee Fordham. The Coyotes had 12 Academic All-KCAC picks and eight Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes. 


In 2023, Cooper's first season leading the Coyotes, he led the team to a 18-25 record overall and a 13-11 mark in the KCAC. The Coyotes were the No. 6 seed in the KCAC Tournament held in Great Bend. KWU had a seven game winning streak during the season that included sweeps over Tabor, York and McPherson and a split with Bethany. KWU placed four on the All-KCAC teams, including Josie Buhr and Miranda Fogal on the first-team, Mia Hernandez on the second-team and Tiffani Alaniz on the honorable mention team. Eight student-athletes were named as KCAC Scholar-Athletes, and four were named as Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes. 

 

A part of the KWU family since August 2021, Cooper came from the KWU Baseball program where he served as hitting coach for the Coyotes, helping KWU hit a school record 96 homeruns on the season and finish with a .291 team batting average. He also worked in the KWU Admissions department during his time as an assistant baseball coach.

Prior to KWU, Cooper spent the previous three seasons as an assistant at Eastern Illinois University as recruiting coordinator, and hitting and infield coach.

While at EIU, Cooper helped the Panthers finish with their best win percentage in over 10 years in 2021. In 2019, the Panthers had a .296 batting average which ranked 26th in the NCAA and the Panther offense ranked in the top 50 in doubles and hits that season.  During his time at EIU, Cooper also coached two players that were drafted in the MLB Draft, in 2019 middle infielder Jimmy Govern was selected in the 30th round by the Kansas City Royals and in 2021 middle infielder Trey Sweeney was a first round selection, 20th overall, by the New York Yankees.

Prior to EIU, Cooper was the Recruiting Coordinator at Maple Woods CC where he was responsible for hitters, outfielders, recruiting, fundraising and strength and conditioning. He helped the offense average over six runs per game over three years and a 2016 NJCAA Region XVI title.

Cooper played at Maple Woods CC (2012-2013) where he helped the Monarchs win a Region XVI championship in 2013. He then attended Elon University where he was named First Team All-CAA and ABCA All-Region as a senior. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science in 2015. 

Cooper resides in Salina with his children Kason and Peyton.