Recruits: Ohio (Northeast), Pennsylvania (412/724), Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon
Ryan Knowles is in his 12th season as defensive line coach and fourth as special teams coordinator.
He has coached 17 All-Patriot League players, including the 2016 ECAC and Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in Pat Afriyie. Afriyie also was a multiple All-America recipient. Return specialist Abu Daramy-Swaray was the 2016 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and a Hero Sports Freshman All-American. Placekicker Jonah Bowman broke the all-time Colgate record for field goal percentage, finishing 31-of-41 for 75.6 percent. His 31 made field goals are second in program history.
Knowles helped the Raider defense lead the nation and set a program record in 2016 by allowing just 69.4 rushing yards per game. Colgate also finished second nationally in sacks per game at 3.4.
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In 2014, Knowles' first season as special teams coordinator saw the Raiders tie for the national lead in blocked punts with six, and Bowman set four Colgate field goal records. Bowman and return specialist John Maddaluna III both made All-Patriot League First Team squads.
Knowles served as Colgate’s co-defensive coordinator from 2009-13, during which time the Raiders went 18-10 in conference play and won the 2012 Patriot League championship. In 2010, the Raiders swept the league’s statistical defensive triple crown by leading the conference in total, rushing and passing defense.
Knowles has been a part of three league leading total defenses since 2007 and coached several players to memorable seasons. Pat Nolan led the conference with 6½ sacks on his way to 2007 All-America Third Team honors, and Zach Smith was PL Defensive Player of the Year and also the conference sack leader with 10½.
Knowles came to Colgate after one season at his alma mater, the University of Idaho.
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While at Idaho, Knowles was a graduate assistant coaching on the defensive line. Prior to coaching at Idaho, he was a defensive assistant in 2003 at Kentridge High School and an offensive line coach in 2004 at Kentlake High – rival programs in the Seattle suburb of Kent, Washington.
Knowles was a four-year starter for the Vandals at defensive end and earned second team All-Big West Conference in 2000, when he led the squad with six sacks. He started 38 games and recorded 150 tackles, including 27 for lost yardage and 16 sacks. Knowles and the Vandals played in the 1998 Humanitarian Bowl.
Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, Knowles graduated from Idaho in 2002 with a degree in secondary education. While on the Idaho staff, he worked on a master’s degree in education leadership.
Knowles and his wife, Megan, are parents of a daughter, Aubrey, and a son, Drew.
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