Ryan Wellner Position: Assistant Coach Experience: First Year Alma Mater: Mary Washington College '00

Ryan Wellner comes to Navy after a three-year stint alongside Sowell at Stony Brook where he primarily worked with the defense and the Seawolves' faceoff game. In his three seasons at Stony Brook, the Seawolves produced a 32-14 record (.696), including an impressive 15-1 mark in America East action. The Seawolves captured the America East regular-season title in 2010 behind a 13-4 record and punched their ticket to what was only the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance (2002) by way of defeating Albany, 11-7, in the America East Championship Game. After dropping a 14-8 decision to UMBC in what was the first America East contest of 2009, Stony Brook has won 15-consecutive regular-season America East contests.

Wellner helped develop long stick midfielder Steven Waldeck into a three-time America East selection as well as 2009 Honorable Mention All-American. Waldeck finished his career with a school-record 112 ground balls and was ranked fifth nationally in ground balls per game, averaging 6.59. Additionally, he was the nation's leading scorer among all long poles in 2009. Waldeck also was drafted by the MLL's Toronto Nationals and the NLL's Minnesota Swarm.

Meanwhile, Wellner was instrumental in improving the Seawolves' faceoff game, as Adam Rand evolved into one the country's premier draw specialists. In 2010, Rand won 61.6 percent (266-432) of the faceoffs he took 266-432, the third-best percentage in country, while his 432 attempts went down in the record books as an NCAA record. He won 29 draws against Siena on Feb. 20, 2010, which are the second-most wins by an individual in NCAA history, before taking 28 faceoff wins at Binghamton on April 17, 2010, the NCAA's third most victories. In 2011, Rand owned the nation's 11th-best faceoff percentage, boasting a 60.1 percentage (187-311). Meanwhile, he was sixth nationally in ground balls per game, scooping up 6.86 per contest.

Prior to his arrival at Stony Brook in 2009, Wellner spent the 2008 campaign as the men's assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Washington & Lee University in Virginia, helping lead the Generals to a 9-6 record. He also served as the defensive coordinator for three seasons at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey where he helped guide the Ducks to a pair of NCAA Tournament berths. Wellner's defensive units produced a pair of All-America defensemen and ranked among the Div. III top 10 in scoring defense.

A 2000 graduate of Mary Washington College with a bachelor of science in business management, Wellner also served as an assistant coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (2004) and Chaminade High School (2003). Additionally, he was the Director of the New York Lacrosse Academy and served as the Director of Operations for the National Lacrosse League from 2001-2003.

A four-year letterwinner at Mary Washington, he served as captain of the lacrosse team his senior year and earned the school's Outstanding Senior Award in 2000.

"I have seen firsthand Ryan's dedication, passion and work ethic and desire to make the players he coaches better," said Sowell. "His knowledge of the game from previous experiences will be a great asset to the team. He is extremely loyal and I look forward to continuing our coaching relationship."

"I am honored and excited to accept this position at the United States Naval Academy," said Wellner. "I would like to thank Coach Sowell for allowing me the opportunity to continue working for and with him and I would also like to thank Chet Gladchuk and Admiral Mike Miller. This is an amazing institution with a tremendous history. Navy lacrosse has a deep and storied tradition, one in which we plan on continuing and adding to. I cannot wait to get started."