Samford University Athletics

2019 NCAA Tournament First Round
2019 SoCon Tournament Championship
2019 SoCon Regular Season Championship
2014 NCAA Tournament Second Round (with Alabama)
2010 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight (with Purdue)

Ryan Freeburg is entering his second season as an Assistant Coach with Samford volleyball, having already made a tremendous impact on all facets of the program. Freeburg's primary responsibilities include opponent scouting, technology, video, and training liberos and outside/opposite hitters.

Freeburg is also in charge of Samford's volleyball camps, and in his first year with the Bulldogs, he grew the amount of camp teams from 18 to 53.

In his first year with Samford, Freeburg was a crucial part of a staff that led the Bulldogs to their best-ever season, as they finished the 2019 campaign with an overall record of 24-6, and cruised to a 15-1 record in Southern Conference play while winning a regular season championship. The Bulldogs also defeated #24 Arizona for their first-ever win over a top-25 program. Samford then followed up a stellar regular season by winning the SoCon Tournament and earning an NCAA Tournament berth for a second consecutive year, and third time in the last four seasons. 

Senior standout Kelsi Hobbs was named the SoCon Player of the Year, as well as an AVCA All-Region honorable mention. Sophomore Lauren Deaton joined Hobbs as an All-SoCon first team selection, and Emily Naubert was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team.

The hiring of Freeburg was announced on February 27, 2019, leaving Head Coach Keylor Chan excited about the continued positive direction of the program.

"We are excited to have Ryan join our program," Chan said. "Ryan is a talented coach with the experience, values and skill sets that will help Samford volleyball reach new heights.  During our search, it was clear that Ryan was a tremendous candidate and more importantly a great fit.  It is a blessing to bring someone of Ryan's coaching ability and acumen into our program and I'm positive he will help create opportunities for our student-athletes and program to succeed."

Prior to joining Samford, Freeburg built up a strong coaching resume, with stops at Alabama, Dayton, George Washington, and Purdue.

Freeburg spent five years with the University of Alabama (2014-18), where he served as an Assistant Coach, before taking over as the interim Head Coach for the final five matches of the 2018 season, posting a 2-3 record in SEC play.

During his time with Alabama, Freeburg worked primarily with passing, blocking, and defense. In 2014, his first year on staff, the Crimson Tide posted their best season in program history, earning their first-ever NCAA Tournament win, and finishing with their best-ever record and RPI. He also worked extensively with right side hitter Krystal Rivers, as she was named the 2016 SEC Player of the Year while also earning AVCA All-American and All-Region honorable mentions.
  
Prior to arriving at Alabama, Freeburg was an Assistant Coach at the University of Dayton during the 2013 season, helping train the Flyers’ setters and middle blockers. Serving as the team’s defensive coordinator, his Dayton squad averaged 3.00 blocks-per-set, which ranked third nationally. He also directed all aspects of video breakdown and opponent scouting with the Flyers.
 
Freeburg spent two previous seasons as an Assistant Coach at George Washington University, where he trained the team’s serve receive, blocking and outside hitters. He also ran all film sessions and formulated and produced all opponent scouting reports. He was a major part of building George Washington's program back up, helping to establish a recruiting system and strategy alongside first-year Head Coach Amanda Ault.
 
A 2010 graduate of Purdue University, Freeburg spent three years as a student manager for the Boilermakers' women's team, and one season as a Volunteer Assistant Coach. During the 2010 season, he helped Purdue to its best season in program history, as the Boilermakers knocked off three top-ten teams (No. 1 Florida, No. 4 Penn State, No. 10 Illinois) en route to their first-ever appearance in the Elite Eight. Purdue's win over No. 1 Florida came in the Sweet Sixteen, and snapped the Gators' 24-match winning streak.

He also founded the Lafayette Volleyball Academy in Lafayette, Ind., and worked with the Munciana Volleyball Club in Muncie, Ind.

Freeburg is married to the former Betsy Smith, who serves as the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Bulldogs.