Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Ryan Peterson Joins the Men’s Basketball Staff
4/27/2026 2:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Head Coach John Jakus announced the hiring of Assistant Coach Ryan Peterson on Monday afternoon.
"I've known Ryan since my days at Baylor," said Jakus. "He's not only one of my favorite people, but one of the best young basketball minds I've ever met. In his playing days, he played at Lynn, so he is a huge fan of Paradise. He is thrilled to be home, he will have a huge impact on our student-athletes on and off the floor, and his positivity in the locker room has always been second to none. He's a great asset to our staff, and we are excited to have him."
Ryan Peterson joined the Florida Atlantic men's basketball staff in April of 2026 as an assistant coach after spending two seasons at Northern Kentucky as an Assistant Coach, overseeing the player development for NKU.
"Grateful for the opportunity to join Florida Atlantic and reunite with Coach Jakus," said Peterson. "I'm excited to get back to Boca Raton and begin this next chapter in Paradise! Go Owls!"
A former standout student-athlete and rising star in the coaching ranks, Peterson made his way to Highland Heights by way of Baylor.
Peterson oversaw player development for the Norse. In 2024-25, Northern Kentucky finished 17-16 and 11-9 in Horizon League play. In his second season at NKU, they finished 20-14 and 10-10 in conference play.
Prior to NKU, Peterson most recently served as a graduate assistant with the Baylor men's basketball program, a position he has held since July 2021. Over his three full seasons with the Bears, the team posted an overall record of 74-29 (.718), which included a mark of 36-21 (.632) in Big 12 play. Baylor also reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive years during Peterson's time in Waco.
As a graduate assistant with the program, Peterson helped with individual student-athlete workouts and prepared scouting reports on opponents for the Bears' coaching staff, alongside other video responsibilities.
Peterson also served as an assistant men's basketball coach at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Connecticut, during the 2020-21 academic year, gaining experience as both a basketball clinic supervisor at Wesleyan University and a basketball camp counselor and coach at Cardinal Basketball School at Wesleyan.
Before his time in the coaching ranks, Peterson was a standout at both Pace University and Lynn University on the court.
While at Pace from 2015-17, Peterson was named to the NE-10 All-Rookie Team to go with three NE-10 Rookie of the Week honors and five ECAC Rookie of the Week awards. Over his two seasons with the Setters, Peterson averaged 14.1 points, 6,2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and nearly a steal per game. Off the court, he was also named to the NE-10 Honor Roll three times.
Following his time with Pace, Peterson transferred to Lynn University to conclude his studies and playing career. His highlight with the program came during the 2018-19 campaign, when the Fighting Knights advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. Over his two years, he averaged 7.1 points, 3.0 boards, 1.2 helpers, and nearly a swipe per contest.
Peterson earned his bachelor's of science in sports management from Lynn University in 2019 and followed it up with a master's of science in sports pedagogy from Baylor University in 2023.
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.
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To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
"I've known Ryan since my days at Baylor," said Jakus. "He's not only one of my favorite people, but one of the best young basketball minds I've ever met. In his playing days, he played at Lynn, so he is a huge fan of Paradise. He is thrilled to be home, he will have a huge impact on our student-athletes on and off the floor, and his positivity in the locker room has always been second to none. He's a great asset to our staff, and we are excited to have him."
Ryan Peterson joined the Florida Atlantic men's basketball staff in April of 2026 as an assistant coach after spending two seasons at Northern Kentucky as an Assistant Coach, overseeing the player development for NKU.
"Grateful for the opportunity to join Florida Atlantic and reunite with Coach Jakus," said Peterson. "I'm excited to get back to Boca Raton and begin this next chapter in Paradise! Go Owls!"
A former standout student-athlete and rising star in the coaching ranks, Peterson made his way to Highland Heights by way of Baylor.
Peterson oversaw player development for the Norse. In 2024-25, Northern Kentucky finished 17-16 and 11-9 in Horizon League play. In his second season at NKU, they finished 20-14 and 10-10 in conference play.
Prior to NKU, Peterson most recently served as a graduate assistant with the Baylor men's basketball program, a position he has held since July 2021. Over his three full seasons with the Bears, the team posted an overall record of 74-29 (.718), which included a mark of 36-21 (.632) in Big 12 play. Baylor also reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive years during Peterson's time in Waco.
As a graduate assistant with the program, Peterson helped with individual student-athlete workouts and prepared scouting reports on opponents for the Bears' coaching staff, alongside other video responsibilities.
Peterson also served as an assistant men's basketball coach at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Connecticut, during the 2020-21 academic year, gaining experience as both a basketball clinic supervisor at Wesleyan University and a basketball camp counselor and coach at Cardinal Basketball School at Wesleyan.
Before his time in the coaching ranks, Peterson was a standout at both Pace University and Lynn University on the court.
While at Pace from 2015-17, Peterson was named to the NE-10 All-Rookie Team to go with three NE-10 Rookie of the Week honors and five ECAC Rookie of the Week awards. Over his two seasons with the Setters, Peterson averaged 14.1 points, 6,2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and nearly a steal per game. Off the court, he was also named to the NE-10 Honor Roll three times.
Following his time with Pace, Peterson transferred to Lynn University to conclude his studies and playing career. His highlight with the program came during the 2018-19 campaign, when the Fighting Knights advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. Over his two years, he averaged 7.1 points, 3.0 boards, 1.2 helpers, and nearly a swipe per contest.
Peterson earned his bachelor's of science in sports management from Lynn University in 2019 and followed it up with a master's of science in sports pedagogy from Baylor University in 2023.
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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