Ryan McKay enters his sixth season with the Piedmont men's lacrosse program in the fall of 2021 after joining the program as an assistant coach in the fall of 2017.
The 2022 season saw McKay help guide the Lions to a program-record 10 wins and a program-best eight conference victories. Leading the offense, he helped Avery Jenks become the program record holder for career points and assists and break the season mark for points and goals.
In 2021, McKay's offense caught fire in the conference season as the Lions scored over 20 goals three times in five regular season conference games. McKay helped guide eight Lions to All-Conference honors.
The 2020 season was shortened due to COVID-19, but the Lions were off to a strong start with a 5-2 record including a 17-10 win over Huntingdon College in a rematch from the title game the year before.
Piedmont took down defending champs Huntingdon College 11-10 in the 2019 USA South Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and placed five players on the All-Tournament team, including MVP and goalie Zach Czulada.
McKay's offense produced record breaking numbers in 2019 as the Lions set a program record for points (291), goals (200), shots / shots per game (798 / 44.33) and shots on goal / per game (437 / 24.28).
Piedmont claimed the 2019 USA South Tournament with wins over Methodist (11-6) and Huntingdon (11-10) while attackman Brady Jenks and midfielder Josh Cobbina earned second-team All-Conference honors
In 2018, the Lions earned their first winning season and first nine win season as they earned a bid for the USA South Tournament. The Lions fell in overtime to Methodist. Jeremy Kohn and Brady Jenks each earned All-Conference honors following the 2018 season.
Prior to Piedmont, McKay served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Millsaps. McKay helped lead the Majors to eight wins during his stint as an assistant including winning the first two contests of his coaching career. The win in the 2016 season opener was the first 1-0 start for the Majors in program history and the only time the Majors have defeated Piedmont.
McKay's primary responsibilities were working with the offense and man up while also working to create practice and game plans for the Majors. In 2016, he helped the Majors finish fourth in the country in caused turnovers per game. The Majors also had a pair of all-conference selections during McKay's time with the team.
Prior to being hired as an assistant lacrosse coach at Millsaps, McKay volunteered his time after graduation to continue helping the Majors from the fall of 2014 until he was hired in January 2016. He spent time working one-on-one with athletes on different facets of the game including stick work, dodging, and field awareness.
As a standout student athlete for the Majors, McKay played attack and midfield as a four-year starter and three-time captain. He is the all-time assists leader in program history and is third in career points with 105. McKay posted his best season his senior year in 2014 with 27 goals and 30 assists.
In 2014, McKay scored nine more goals than he had totaled in the previous three seasons and doubled the total number of assists he had in his career. He also finished in the top 40 in the country in assists that season. McKay was a two-time All-SAA Academic team member and two-time SAA Sportsmanship team honoree.
While in college, McKay began coaching at MadLax Lacrosse serving as the Head Coach of the program in Madison, Mississippi for ages 7-18. McKay has served in that capacity since 2013 providing leadership and instruction to players to develop their skills both on and off the field.
McKay is a 2014 graduate of Millsaps College with a bachelor's degree in education and a minor in Spanish. He was also a dual sport athlete with the Majors competing in both lacrosse and basketball. He graduated from St. Pius X Catholic High School in 2010 and was a member of the men's lacrosse team for three seasons.
Last updated 7/22
