12 Facts About Willard Ryan

Willard J Ryan was an American teacher and football coach who served as the first head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Willard Ryan retired in 1955 and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1961.

Willard Ryan died of unknown causes on February 7,1962, at the age of 71.

Willard Ryan was born on May 8,1890, in Washburn, Wisconsin, a small town on the coast of Lake Superior.

Willard Ryan served as the head coach of the Green Bay West High School football team in 1916 and 1917.

The Packers under Willard Ryan were more successful, with the team going in 1919, mostly playing against other local teams in the Wisconsin region.

Willard Ryan was quoted after the game saying, "the boys displayed wonderful fighting ability, but it was simply a case of too much Zabel [the referee]" and that he considered the game a "robbery".

In 1920, Willard Ryan moved from Green Bay to Gilbert, Minnesota, where he was superintendent of schools for a number of years.

Willard Ryan later moved to Eveleth, Minnesota, where he retired in 1955 from being an agriculture instructor, a position he had taken in the preceding years.

Willard Ryan was Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Willard Ryan served as a commander of the American Legion and was a member of the Elks Lodge.

Willard Ryan was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.