Frederick Bushnell "Jack" Ryder
Ryder pictured c. 1893
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| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
November 16, 1871 Oberlin, Ohio |
| Died | June 5, 1936 (aged 64) Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Playing career | |
| 1891 | Williams |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1892–1895, 1898 | Ohio State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 22–22–2 |
Frederick Bushnell "Jack" Ryder (November 16, 1871 – June 5, 1936) was an American football player and coach and sportswriter. He served as the second head football coach and the first paid at Ohio State University, coaching from 1892 to 1895 and again in 1898, and compiling a record 22–22–2. Ryder was later a noted sportswriter for The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Ryder was born in Oberlin, Ohio in 1871, but moved with his family as a youth to New England. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he learned the game of American football. In 1888 Ryder returned to Oberlin to attend Oberlin College. He introduced the game to that school, and soon began to pressure the school administration to allow the Oberlin students to form an intercollegiate team. The pressure ultimately paid off in the Fall of 1890.
Before the Oberlin team would play a game, however, Ryder decided to transfer to Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He later played for the Williams team. He graduated in 1892.
In the Fall of 1892, Ryder came to Columbus, Ohio to teach at Columbus Academy. He was also offered a job as the head coach of the Ohio State University football team. He was the first coach hired at the University. The Ohio State Buckeyes football team had previously been coached by Alexander Lilley, but Lilley had worked as a volunteer. In his first season, Ryder was paid $15 per week for a season total of $150.
Ryder led Ohio State to its first winning season. He introduced the concepts of closed practice and a training table. He also introduced a formation known as the Ryder Wedge, which was a variation of a wedge formation he had used at Williams College. In Ryder's first season, Ohio State outscored their opponents 242 to 14 in their five wins, and were outscored 130 to 18 in their three losses. Ryder stayed with Ohio State from 1892 until 1895.
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