Episode 154: Ryan Richman, From Assistant to Head Coach to Assistant

Guest: Ryan Richman, Wizards’ Assistant Head Coach

Ryan Richman enters his eighth season with the Wizards in 2020-21 as an assistant coach on head coach Scott Brooks’ staff, having served in a variety of roles during his tenure with Washington.

Richman spent the 2019-20 season as the head coach of Washington’s NBA G League team, the Capital City Go-Go, leading the team to a 22-21 record in the pandemic-shortened season. Capital City recorded its first winning season under Richman, also helping two players earn call-ups with the Wizards.

Richman served as an assistant coach on the front of Brooks’ bench in 2018-19, after spending his first three seasons with the organization in the video room before transitioning to a role as player development coordinator/assistant coach in Scott Brooks' first year as head coach (2016-17). In that role, he assisted player development during pre-practice, pre-game, and after-hours sessions while also analyzing game film and holding responsibility for game scouts and preparation.

Richman also served as the head coach of the 2018 Wizards’ Summer League team, where he led current Wizards Troy Brown Jr. and Thomas Bryant to standout performances.

After playing one season at Skidmore College Richman transferred to the University of Maryland and served as a scout player for the women’s basketball team under Head Coach Brenda Freese, where he learned player development, scouting, and film. Richman then worked as a graduate assistant at Maryland under Head Coach Mark Turgeon, where he assisted in day-to-day basketball operations prior to joining the Wizards’ staff in 2013.

Richman is a native of West Hartford, Connecticut. He holds a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland.

Breakdown

1:30 - Opportunity to be a Head Coach

5:00 - Takeaways from Experience as Head Coach

7:00 - Applying Scout

10:00 - Video Animation

13:00 - Impact of Men's and Women's Programs

16:00 - Type of Film other Coaches Wanted

20:00 - Potential Head Coaching in G-League

24:00 - Preparation as a Head Coach

27:30 - Court Coaching

31:30 - Court Responsibilities