Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Photo by: JC Ridley
Men’s Basketball Announces Hiring of Ryne Lightfoot as Assistant Coach
4/24/2026 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic men's basketball Head Coach John Jakus announced the addition of Assistant Coach Ryne Lightfoot on Friday evening.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Lightfoot to our staff," said Jakus. "He brings a sharp basketball mind and a great work ethic. Rated among the top 75 assistants in the country by TopConnect, his experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset to our program. We are thrilled to have both him and his wife, Justine, join our family and the FAU community in Paradise."
Ryne Lighfoot joins the Florida Atlantic men's basketball staff in the spring of 2026 as an assistant coach after spending the previous two seasons at Coastal Carolina as the associate head coach/defensive coordinator.
"I am extremely blessed to be a part of this Florida Atlantic men's basketball staff, campus, and community," said Lightfoot. "With the history of the program and the current leadership of Coach Jakus, it was a great opportunity to be around great people to help serve this department, team, and staff to continue to win in paradise."
He helped Coastal Carolina finish second in the conference after being picked 13th in the preseason polls in his second year, for the most wins in program history in the Sun Belt. Alongside Head Coach Justin Gray, he helped achieve the most wins since 2014-15 and the most road wins in program history. He was named as one of the top 75 assistants in the nation for TopConnect Symposium in 2025.
Prior to working with the Chanticleers, Lightfoot spent two seasons at Western Carolina.
He helped lead the Catamounts to a top-four Southern Conference regular-season finish and two appearances in the semifinal round of the SoCon tournament. The Catamounts also found post-season experience with an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).
While with the Catamounts, Lightfoot's main responsibilities included running, implementing, and developing the Catamount defensive system, which improved from last place in the league in 2021-22 to finishing third overall in 2022-23. He also worked directly with scouting and recruiting. His leadership in skill development helped three Catamounts – guards Vonteriuous Woolbright and Tre Jackson, as well as post Tyzhaun Claude – each earn postseason All-Southern Conference accolades following the 2022-23 season.
He also stepped into the acting head coaching role in Gray's absence in his first season on the WCU staff, assuming the role the day before WCU's road game at Tennessee Tech. Shifting into the head coach's seat, Lightfoot called the shots in guiding the Catamounts to a 75-65 road victory in Cookeville, Tenn.
Prior to coming to Cullowhee, Lightfoot spent the previous two seasons as the Director of Player Development at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. During his time with the Lopes, Lightfoot helped lead the squad to a combined 40 wins, the 2020-21 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular-season and tournament championships, and to the university's first-ever appearance in the postseason with a berth in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Before his time at Grand Canyon, Lightfoot spent the previous eight seasons on the coaching staff at his alma mater, Bethel University in Mishawaka, Ind. In his first six seasons, Lightfoot was an assistant coach under his father, Mike Lightfoot.
Then, in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, the younger Lightfoot took over as head coach, posting a 43-21 record. His squad finished his final season ranked 20th in the NAIA poll and advanced as high as No. 6 in the country in 2018. Throughout his coaching tenure at Bethel, the Pilots went 171-65, won three Crossroads League titles, and appeared in the NAIA national tournament quarterfinals twice.
Lightfoot played for the Pilots for four seasons, recording 2,075 points and 702 assists, ranking 10th and 5th all-time in the program's record book. He added over 500 career rebounds. He was one of three players at the time with over 2,000 points, 700 assists, and 500 rebounds at the NAIA level, joining NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and former Bethel guard Rico Swanson. Lightfoot was a five-time All-American and was awarded the 2010 NCCAA Pete Maravich Award, presented to the men's basketball student-athlete recognized for excellence in competition, skill, academics, and Christian service during his career. He was also a member of Bethel University's 2018 Athletics Hall of Fame class.
Lightfoot graduated from Northwood High as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,673 points and is a member of the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame.
Ryne is originally from Wakarusa, Ind., and was married to his wife, Justine, in 2010.
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"We are excited to welcome Coach Lightfoot to our staff," said Jakus. "He brings a sharp basketball mind and a great work ethic. Rated among the top 75 assistants in the country by TopConnect, his experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset to our program. We are thrilled to have both him and his wife, Justine, join our family and the FAU community in Paradise."
Ryne Lighfoot joins the Florida Atlantic men's basketball staff in the spring of 2026 as an assistant coach after spending the previous two seasons at Coastal Carolina as the associate head coach/defensive coordinator.
"I am extremely blessed to be a part of this Florida Atlantic men's basketball staff, campus, and community," said Lightfoot. "With the history of the program and the current leadership of Coach Jakus, it was a great opportunity to be around great people to help serve this department, team, and staff to continue to win in paradise."
He helped Coastal Carolina finish second in the conference after being picked 13th in the preseason polls in his second year, for the most wins in program history in the Sun Belt. Alongside Head Coach Justin Gray, he helped achieve the most wins since 2014-15 and the most road wins in program history. He was named as one of the top 75 assistants in the nation for TopConnect Symposium in 2025.
Prior to working with the Chanticleers, Lightfoot spent two seasons at Western Carolina.
He helped lead the Catamounts to a top-four Southern Conference regular-season finish and two appearances in the semifinal round of the SoCon tournament. The Catamounts also found post-season experience with an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).
While with the Catamounts, Lightfoot's main responsibilities included running, implementing, and developing the Catamount defensive system, which improved from last place in the league in 2021-22 to finishing third overall in 2022-23. He also worked directly with scouting and recruiting. His leadership in skill development helped three Catamounts – guards Vonteriuous Woolbright and Tre Jackson, as well as post Tyzhaun Claude – each earn postseason All-Southern Conference accolades following the 2022-23 season.
He also stepped into the acting head coaching role in Gray's absence in his first season on the WCU staff, assuming the role the day before WCU's road game at Tennessee Tech. Shifting into the head coach's seat, Lightfoot called the shots in guiding the Catamounts to a 75-65 road victory in Cookeville, Tenn.
Prior to coming to Cullowhee, Lightfoot spent the previous two seasons as the Director of Player Development at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. During his time with the Lopes, Lightfoot helped lead the squad to a combined 40 wins, the 2020-21 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular-season and tournament championships, and to the university's first-ever appearance in the postseason with a berth in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Before his time at Grand Canyon, Lightfoot spent the previous eight seasons on the coaching staff at his alma mater, Bethel University in Mishawaka, Ind. In his first six seasons, Lightfoot was an assistant coach under his father, Mike Lightfoot.
Then, in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, the younger Lightfoot took over as head coach, posting a 43-21 record. His squad finished his final season ranked 20th in the NAIA poll and advanced as high as No. 6 in the country in 2018. Throughout his coaching tenure at Bethel, the Pilots went 171-65, won three Crossroads League titles, and appeared in the NAIA national tournament quarterfinals twice.
Lightfoot played for the Pilots for four seasons, recording 2,075 points and 702 assists, ranking 10th and 5th all-time in the program's record book. He added over 500 career rebounds. He was one of three players at the time with over 2,000 points, 700 assists, and 500 rebounds at the NAIA level, joining NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and former Bethel guard Rico Swanson. Lightfoot was a five-time All-American and was awarded the 2010 NCCAA Pete Maravich Award, presented to the men's basketball student-athlete recognized for excellence in competition, skill, academics, and Christian service during his career. He was also a member of Bethel University's 2018 Athletics Hall of Fame class.
Lightfoot graduated from Northwood High as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,673 points and is a member of the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame.
Ryne is originally from Wakarusa, Ind., and was married to his wife, Justine, in 2010.
SEASON TICKETS
2026-27 season ticket holders can renew today by clicking here. New customers wishing to purchase premium seating, or in other areas currently unavailable, are encouraged to join the wait list or to call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
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