HOBOKEN, N.J. (June 3, 2024) – Stevens Institute of Technology head wrestling coach Anthony Bonaventura announced Monday that Ryan Monk has been hired as an assistant coach. Monk most recently served as a graduate assistant coach at Baldwin Wallace University.

"Ryan Monk showed a tremendous amount of passion and professionalism throughout the entire interview process," Bonaventura said. "He brings incredible experience to the coaching staff after successful tenures at both UNC-Pembroke and Baldwin Wallace. Ryan understands the mission and standards of this program. He is 'all in' and wants to continue to elevate the status of Stevens Wrestling. I am confident in his abilities and believe he will have an immediate impact on this program. I look forward to working with him."

Monk spent two seasons on the sidelines with the Yellow Jackets, helping the program achieve a 33-4 dual record, while also capturing two Ohio Athletic Conference crowns (to extend Baldwin Wallace's streak to four), a pair of NCAA Central Region Championship and consecutive top-six finishes at nationals, including a third-place finish in 2023. During Monk's tenure at Baldwin Wallace, the team produced 16 national qualifiers, two national championships (Michael Petrella at 149) and seven All-Americans.

In addition to his on-the-mat duties for the Yellow Jackets, Monk oversaw a team of student managers and was responsible for the program's social media, where he achieved a 120% increase in engagement on Instagram.

Monk first entered the coaching ranks at the University of North Carolina Pembroke, where he served as a student assistant for one year. During his time on the sidelines for the Braves, Monk coached six Division II national qualifiers and one All-American. Prior to joining UNC Pembroke's coaching staff, Monk competed on the mats for two seasons for the Braves, winning 21 matches and qualifying for the 2021 national championship after earning a Super Regional crown at heavyweight. Additionally, the Dallas, Pennsylvania native earned Academic All-America honors from the College Sports Communications (then the College Sports Information Directors of America). 

Before transferring to UNC Pembroke, Monk was a defensive lineman for Penn State University, where appeared in seven games over three seasons and earned co-Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors during his first season in Happy Valley. Monk was also a member of the 2016 Big Ten champions that competed in the 103rd Rose Bowl against USC.

Monk earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from UNC Pembroke in 2022 and then went on to complete his Master of Business Administration degree at Baldwin Wallace this past May.

Monk joins a Stevens program that went 13-4 in duals last year and captured the program's fourth straight Middle Atlantic Conference title, extending the program's streak to nine. The Ducks then went on to win their fourth straight regional title and sent five wrestlers on to nationals, where rising junior Ryan Smith and alumnus Stefan Major earned All-America honors to guide the team to tie for 16th place.

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