HENDERSON — In his junior campaign, Ryley McClaran cut down the nets as part of FHU's first men's basketball national championship squad. His senior year ended just two wins short of that goal with a defeat in the Fab Four. Now one year removed from being on campus, McClaran returns as head coach Grant Burns' assistant coach.

Coach Burns was excited about his new assistant, saying, "I couldn't be more excited to add Ryley back into our program! Ryley is home run hire for the FHU Family. He spent five years here as a player and has built strong relationships throughout campus. As a player, he helped to build the foundation that we find ourselves standing on now."

In 137 games as a Lion, McClaran tallied 1,203 points, connecting for 208 3-pointers - the ninth-most in program history. In his 2022-23 season, McClaran was honored by the Mid-South Conference as second team All-Conference.

"I'm so excited to be back with my FHU family! Freed-Hardeman means so much to me," said Coach McClaran. "When I made the decision to sign here as a player, I did so with the understanding we would compete for championships. To have the opportunity to do the same but as a coach is one I'm very grateful for. I'm beyond confident in Grant and our shared vision that we have for continuing the standard of excellence. Go Lions!"

No stranger to coaching, McClaran spent 2025-26 in Nashville as the graduate assistant for an NCAA DI Belmont (Tenn.) University Bruin team that went 26-6. He has also successfully helmed AAU teams that included former, current, and future Lions.

Burns concluded, "Ryley now gets to be a leader of this program and help continue on the tradition that has been set here. He will do a phenomenal job for us and Lions fans have a lot to be excited about!"

McClaran graduated from Freed-Hardeman in 2024 with a degree in kinesiology.