Elon University Athletics

Ryan Saunders is in his fifth season as an assistant coach with the Elon men’s basketball program in 2026-27. He joined head coach Billy Taylor’s staff in May 2022, reuniting with Taylor after serving on his staff at Belmont Abbey from 2016-19.

Saunders helped guide the Phoenix to a 17-16 record in 2024-25, marking Elon’s first winning season since 2016-17. The Phoenix earned an invitation to the College Basketball Invitational and recorded marquee victories at Notre Dame, the program’s fourth win over a power conference opponent in its NCAA Division I era, and against Coastal Athletic Association foes Towson and UNCW, which finished first and second in the league standings. Saunders also directed Elon to a 73-59 home victory against Marshall on Dec. 28, 2024, while Taylor missed the game due to illness.

Elon players received CAA postseason recognition in each of Saunders’ first four seasons with the program. Max Mackinnon was named the 2022-23 CAA Rookie of the Year, while Zac Ervin earned CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors that season and the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award in 2023-24. Nick Dorn was selected to the 2023-24 CAA All-Rookie Team, while TK Simpkins earned All-CAA Second Team honors and Matthew Van Komen was named to the CAA All-Defensive Team in 2024-25. Chandler Cuthrell followed with an All-CAA Second Team selection in 2025-26 after averaging 19.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Before arriving at Elon, Saunders spent two seasons establishing the men’s basketball program at Converse University as its first head coach. He led the Valkyries to six victories during their inaugural 2021-22 season, including five wins in Conference Carolinas play. Converse recorded the first victory in program history with a 93-82 win over Mars Hill.

Saunders previously spent five seasons at Belmont Abbey, serving as an assistant coach and associate head coach. His tenure included three seasons on Taylor’s staff from 2016-19. Saunders helped transform a program that won two games prior to his arrival into back-to-back 20-win teams in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Belmont Abbey went 21-10 in 2019-20, finished second in Conference Carolinas and advanced to the conference tournament championship game. The Crusaders earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament and climbed as high as No. 20 in the national rankings.

During his five seasons at Belmont Abbey, Saunders recruited and coached an All-American, a Conference Carolinas Player of the Year and a Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year. His players also collected eight all-conference selections, six all-tournament honors and three all-region accolades.

Saunders began his coaching career at his alma mater, Barry University, where he served as an assistant coach from 2007-15. He helped guide the Buccaneers to three NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and helped recruit the roster that advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2016.

A three-year captain during his playing career at Barry, Saunders helped lead the Buccaneers to their first Sunshine State Conference regular-season championship and their first two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. He finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in assists.

Saunders and his wife, Amanda, have a daughter, Parker.