Silver Knights Name Ryan Hall Assistant Coach
Former Syracuse Silver Knights and Syracuse Salty Dogs defender joins Coach Bryan O’Quinn’s staff
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Bringing more than a decade of experience as a professional player to the Syracuse Silver Knights coaching staff, the team proudly announces the addition of Ryan Hall as its assistant coach for the 2016-17 season.
Having played with Hall for the Syracuse Salty Dogs and coached with him for the Syracuse Silver Knights, club General Manager Tommy Tanner said bringing on Hall to assist Coach Bryan O’Quinn made perfect sense.
“Ryan is a very committed, dedicated student of the game,” Tanner said. “He has great contacts in the soccer community and in the Central New York community. From day one, Ryan has always been a very focused individual. Beyond his knowledge of the game and experience, he’s really good working with and developing players.”
Per the team’s build-from-the-back philosophy, the pairing of former goalie O’Quinn and defender Hall to lead the team was a natural fit. The coaching duo’s passion for the game and commitment to winning has brought a renewed enthusiasm to the club. Hall cited mixed martial arts fighter and UFC champion, Conor McGregor, in describing the team’s mindset.
“We’re not just here to take part - we’re here to take over.” Hall said.
“It’s very cliché, but defense wins championships,” he continued. “In a game that is played on such a small field and often in tight quarters, it doesn’t take much space to create a scoring opportunity. Without a solid and disciplined defensive structure, it puts tremendous pressure on our defenders and goalkeeper. Every player on the field will be asked to defend and attack as a single unit.”
O’Quinn relishes the chance to work with Hall and develop the squad.
“Ryan and I played together the first two seasons. He was the captain and assistant coach then. I’m really excited to have him on board and work with him again,” O’Quinn said. “We’re going to collectively work on everything together,” noting that it’s not like the NFL where assistant coaches specialize on offense, defense or special teams. O’Quinn and Hall will work together on all phases of the game.
Silver Knights fans can see Hall directing the Knights during the team’s free intersquad scrimmage on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 3:30 p.m. As a thank you to the club’s supporters, it welcomes fans to a sneak peek of the 2016-17 team at the scrimmage, which takes place in the Central New York Family Sports Centre, 7201 Jones Road, just off Route 690 W and the NYS Thruway.
After that, Central New York soccer fans will have to wait until the club kicks off its regular season versus the Harrisburg Heat at the War Memorial Arena at Oncenter on Friday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. For information on tickets, call 303-7261.