ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is excited to announce the hiring of Ryan Ciotoli '02 as first-ever head coach of women's wrestling. Ciotoli returns to South Hill and will begin the recruiting process as the women's wrestling program gears up for its first competitive season in 2025-26.

"I am thrilled to launch our new women's wrestling program and announce our first-ever head women's wrestling coach with the appointment of Hall of Famer and former assistant wrestling coach, Ryan Ciotoli '02," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79.

"Ryan has a track record of success as an excellent teacher of the sport, trainer of champions and program developer. He has coached wrestling in a variety of settings from the collegiate level, club level and high school level. He has coached and trained beginners to collegiate All-Americans. While an assistant at Ithaca College he proved himself to be an effective recruiter. I am confident that Ryan will build an excellent foundation for success for our new women's wrestling program and provide the best possible experience for the women who participate. It is wonderful to welcome him back to South Hill."

Since graduating from Ithaca in 2002 with a degree in health and physical education, Ciotoli has worked with multiple wrestling clubs and programs and in mixed martial arts. From 2002-08, Ciotoli was an assistant coach at Ithaca and mentored 10 All-Americans during that time, while the team finished within the top 10 at the NCAA Division III Championships twice.

"I'm incredibly honored to lead the women's wrestling team at Ithaca College, a place that shaped me as both an athlete and a coach," stated Ciotoli. "Collegiate wrestling is experiencing incredible growth, and I look forward to helping put Ithaca on the map as a school that champions women's opportunities in this sport."

Overlapping with his time as an assistant coach, Ciotoli also founded BombSquad Athletics LLC/Ultimate Athletics and managed that organization from 2006-19. He managed two gyms where he designed and implemented training programs for amateur and professional athletes. Ciotoli also oversaw marketing and promotional initiatives that significantly boosted memberships and revenue.

He has also served as a wrestling club coach for BombSquad Wrestling from 2013-19 where he developed comprehensive training programs focusing on technique, strength, and conditioning for young athletes. Since 2021, he has been the club coach at Integrity Wrestling and the assistant coach at Independence High School in Virginia.

Independence High School finished second at the state championship in 2024 with less than five years of existence as a program.

"I am excited to welcome Ryan Ciotoli '02 back to South Hill," said men's wrestling head coach Marty Nichols '90.

"Ryan, a three-time NCAA All-American, had an amazing wrestling career for the Bombers and is a great addition to lead the new Bomber women's wrestling program. Ryan is a highly respected and accomplished coach in our community. I have no doubt that he will build the women's wrestling program into a national contender. He has a genuine passion for the sport and for developing athletes both on and off the mat. I am eager to see the positive impact he will have on the College, the wrestling program and the Ithaca community. What a great start for Ithaca's first women's wrestling program."

Ciotoli wrestled five seasons at Ithaca and posted overall record of 91-22, including a perfect 17-0 in dual bouts as a junior in 2001. He was a three-time All-American and was a four-time ECWC champion in the 149 and 157-lb. weight classes.

In his first All-American season as a sophomore, Ciotoli went 25-4 overall and finished second at the NCAA Championships. He followed that up with a 33-2 mark as a junior and was the national runner-up once again at 157 lbs.

Despite an injury-plagued senior campaign, Ciotoli went 12-4 and finished sixth in the country.

At the time of his graduation, Ciotoli ranked 14th all-time in victories and is just one of a handful of three-time All-Americans in the program's decorated history. Out of his 91 career victories, 13 came by major decision, 12 by fall and seven by technical fall.

He was inducted into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

"Ithaca College has a proud tradition of athletics, and I'm excited to take on the challenge of building a competitive program," Ciotoli continued. "Our team will work hard both on the mat and in the classroom, and we're committed to supporting our student-athletes in all aspects of their lives."