Get to Know Ryun Ferrell

Q&A with Our Director, Ryun Ferrell

Head Men’s & Women’s Tennis Coach at Central College

Do you have any nicknames?

Mr. Ferrell

Do you have any unusual talents or absurd things that you love?

I used to sing in a “counter tenor” voice – I could sound like woman

If you can eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Peanut butter straight from the jar

What is the latest show, series, podcast or book that you binged on?

Reply All – Pod cast about the internet

What is the one or more things that you take with you or do every day before you greet the team at practice? This can be something tangible or non-tangible.

I ask what is good – what is bad – what is right – what is wrong

What purchase of $100 or less has positively influenced your life in the past 6 months or recent memory?

Every time I buy a Monster energy drink. They are three bucks and they keep me going when I am exhausted.

Do you have a quote, phrase or motto that you use on a daily basis or during tough times? or maybe something you think of often or live your life by.

Attack the day with an enthusiasm never seen by human kind

What advice would you give a smart, driven 14 year old athlete about to enter high school and what advice should they ignore on the other hand?

Do not take life so seriously.

In the last 5 years, do you have a specific season, match, or tournament that changed your life? What advice or realizations, do you have for people in the coaching field who are trying to achieve their team’s potential?

We were down to Loras 0-3 after doubles. We had beaten this team easily earlier in the year. I brought my team together and had a few choice words and ultimately left it up to them if they wanted to do this or not. We destroyed them in singles and the only reason why this happened is because they wanted to win. They made the choice. It is not up to the coach – it is up to the team.

Is there a moment from your youth that set you up for career in coaching?

Not really. I have been a jack of all trades – Master of none. In athletics I have been solid at everything but never amazing at anything. Large in part that I never focused on one thing. So my youth has not been a good ground for coaching one sport. I try to get my students to do as much as they can and then widdle it down as they go.

FEATURED VIDEOS