Ryan Zinkhan Joins Kentucky Men’s Soccer as Assistant Coach

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Ryan Zinkhan has joined the Kentucky men’s soccer program as an assistant coach, as announced by head coach Johan Cedergren on Wednesday. 

“We are excited to welcome Ryan to Lexington as a member of our coaching staff,” said Cedergren. “Ryan brings a wealth of high-level coaching and playing experience that will have an immediate impact on our student-athletes, and we look forward to his contributions as we prepare for another championship season.”

Zinkhan arrives in Lexington having spent the last four seasons at Oregon State. He first joined the Beavers’ staff in 2018 as an assistant before being promoted to associate head coach in 2020. 

During his first year in Corvallis, Zinkhan helped lead Oregon State to an 11-6-3 record in 2018 and an NCAA Tournament showing for the fourth time in program history. The Beavers earned their second NCAA Tournament win in program history and finished second in the Pac-12. 

The 2020 season, which was played in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19, saw the Beavers make the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in school history as they finished with a 9-5 record. Additionally, Gloire Amanda became the first player in school history to win the MAC Hermann Trophy as the best men’s player in college soccer.

2021 marked the most successful season for the Beavers to date with Zinkhan on staff. Oregon State checked in at No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings for the first time in program history, also clinching its first-ever outright Pac-12 Championship title. The program capped off the year with a trip to its first Elite Eight appearance and a 14-2-4 record. 

Following the remarkable 2021 season, Zinkhan and the Oregon State coaches were tabbed the Regional Staff of the Year for the Far West region. He also helped produce five MLS SuperDraft picks throughout his four seasons with the Beavers, including two in 2022. 

A native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Zinkhan arrived at Oregon State after spending a year as an assistant women’s soccer coach at the University of Mary Washington. He has also held different roles at the Fredericksburg Football Club, including director of coaching for boys.
  
Zinkhan played collegiately at Virginia where he appeared in 78 career matches for the Cavaliers and earned a starting role in 58 of them. He finished his career with 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including guiding UVA to the national title in 2014 as well as the Final Four in 2013. 

Playing as a forward, midfielder and defender, Zinkhan was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2011 after tallying 11 points on four goals and three assists in his rookie campaign. He concluded his time as a Cavalier with 11 career goals, five of which were game winners. 

Zinkhan graduated from Virginia in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs with a minor in history. He was named to the All-ACC Academic Soccer Team three times.

For the latest on the Kentucky men’s soccer team, follow @UKMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.