AMES – During the third quarter of the Iowa State women’s basketball team’s Jan. 21 win against Cincinnati, Cyclones’ graduate assistant Emily Ryan called a play specifically designed for point guard Jada Williams.
Ryan relished the isolation opportunity for Williams, which resulted in a 3-pointer at the buzzer that gave the Cyclones a 68-49 lead.
“It’s one of those things where it’s cool to see them have their moment,” Ryan said of Williams’ big bucket.
Williams went on to score 44 points that night. The basket was one of the highlights of the evening for the former Iowa State star, who tallied the second-best single-game scoring performance in Cyclones history. But it was also a big moment for Ryan, earning the confidence of head coach Bill Fennelly to call an important play.
“I tried to give her a lot of responsibility last year,” Fennelly said.
Ryan made the most of her opportunities. That’s why the former star point guard was promoted to assistant coach in May. Ryan proved her value during the 2025-26 season, where she worked as a GA.
“Last year, I was so impressed,” Fennelly said. “She’s ready to go do it.”
In many ways, Ryan has already been a coach for a long time. As a player, she was Iowa State’s leader on the floor, guiding the offense and leading the Cyclones to five NCAA Tournaments, including a trip to the Sweet 16. She set the program record for assists before finishing her collegiate eligibility in 2025. Back then, she was often calling plays, something Fennelly allows his point guards to do.
Right after Ryan finished her playing career, she joined Fennelly’s staff as a graduate assistant. She helped usher Williams in as her replacement, teaching her Iowa State’s offense and handling some of the playcalling to help ease the transition.
Ryan even filled in on Iowa State’s scout team occasionally. The work reaffirmed Ryan’s belief that she wanted to go into coaching. She had dreams of coaching in college even while she was in high school and loved the work she did as a GA.
“There’s so many little things that happen that go into every single day and I knew I wanted to do it,” Ryan said. “To learn on the other side is really cool.”
An opening popped up on Fennelly’s staff when longtime Iowa State assistant coach Latoja Schaben left for a job at Texas State. Ryan, who had spent the last six seasons essentially interviewing for the job, got the gig.
“She’s been doing it with us for a long time,” Fennelly said. “She knows our system. She’s someone that really wants to get into coaching. She’s got loyalty and commitment she’s shown to Iowa State.”
The rapid rise happened with Ryan going from player to GA right away. The rate of her promotions was something that even surprised Ryan. But Fennelly said her experience, loyalty and communication skills made her a perfect fit.
“She has an ability to communicate with people that is unique and people trust her and I think that’s a big thing,” Fennelly said.
Ryan’s new job means more responsibility. Now, she can get more involved with recruiting and even leave campus. Fennelly said she’ll handle more public relations work for Iowa State and provide contributions to Iowa State’s game planning. for opponents.
Fennelly said it has already been a smooth transition.
“She’s a Hall of Fame player,” Fennelly said. “I think she’s going to be just as good of a coach.”
While Ryan is just getting started, Fennelly thinks she could have a lengthy coaching career. He also envisions Ryan being a head coach someday, if that’s the route she wants to go.
After seeing what Fennelly goes through as a head coach, Ryan insists that’s not a route she wants to go. Instead, she sees herself following in the footsteps of former Iowa State associate head coach Jodi Steyer, who recently retired.
Steyer began her coaching career at Toledo, working for Fennelly. She eventually followed him to Iowa State and spent 24 seasons with the Cyclones.
“Coach Steyer’s career is what I would dream of having,” Ryan said. “It’s finding a head coach that I really love working with and working for and find a place that I can be settled at, just be their right-hand man and do whatever the program needs to be successful. That would be my dream career.”
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2025 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New Iowa State assistant Emily Ryan has been coaching for awhile
Reporting by Tommy Birch, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tommy Birch, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
