Ryan Pedon enters his second season as an assistant coach with the Rockets' basketball program. Pedon possesses extensive familiarity of the Mid-American Conference after serving as an assistant at Miami University from 2005-10 and on the Kent State coaching staff from 2002-05.

"Ryan is a tremendous recruiter, a great communicator and talented coach, and he's going to play a big role in helping us take this program to another level," Kowalczyk said. "One thing I was really looking for when I hired Ryan was someone with strong Ohio connections and roots, and with Ryan being born and raised in the state he certainly gives us that Ohio presence."

Pedon joined the RedHawks' staff as an assistant coach in 2005 and was promoted in 2007 to the program's recruiting coordinator. Pedon's familiarity with the Mid-American Conference also extends to a three-year stint (2002-05) at Kent State University where he served as the Golden Flashes' Director of Basketball Operations. Over the past eight years at Miami and KSU, Pedon has been a part of six teams that made postseason appearances, including one NCAA Tournament, four National Invitational Tournaments and one College Basketball Invitational.

In addition to his numerous day-to-day coaching and recruiting responsibilities with the RedHawks, Pedon was critical in the creation and cultivation of the program's Sixth Man Club as well as being a catalyst behind the upgrades to the locker room and Millett Hall's practice gymnasium. He also oversaw the Charlie Coles Boys Basketball Camp, which focused on the continuing skill development of aspiring basketball players in grades 3-9.

Pedon earned his master's degree at Miami in sport organization in May 2002 when he served as the program's administrative assistant during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. During that time, he handled the day-to-day administrative duties, assisted with team travel and meals and coordinated the film exchange with opponents.

In his three-year stint with the Golden Flashes, Pedon handled all of the travel arrangements, monitored team study tables, coordinated film exchange, assisted with on-campus recruiting and was the director of the program's summer basketball camp.

Pedon was a three-year letterwinner at NCAA Division III powerhouse Wooster and helped the Scots win three regular-season North Coast Athletic Conference championships (1998, '99, '00) and three NCAC Tournament titles (1997, '99, '00) during his career. In his junior and senior seasons, the Scots advanced to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Division III Tournament and finished with a No. 5 national ranking both years.

Elected one of the Scots' team co-captains as a senior, Pedon was bestowed Wooster's annual "Bear Award," given to the player who demonstrates the best enthusiasm and leadership. He played in 67 games during his career, including 25 during his senior season.

A second-team All-Ohio honoree at Bexley High School in suburban Columbus, Pedon graduated from the College of Wooster with a bachelor's degree in communications in 2000.

Pedon and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Maumee.

The Ryan Pedon File
Hometown: Bexley, OH
Education:
B.A. in communications, College of Wooster '00
M.S. in sport organization, Miami Univ. '02
Coaching Experience:
2010- Assistant coach, University of Toledo
2005-10 Assistant coach, Miami University
2002-05 Dir. of Operations, Kent State University
2000-02 Administrative Assistant, Miami University
Playing Experience:
1996-00 College of Wooster