Tom Ryan returns to Ohio State wrestling room after significant car accident
Tom Ryan was back in the Ohio State wrestling room this weekend.
The Ohio State wrestling coach was involved in a significant automobile accident April 23 that led to multiple fractures in his left leg including his femur, patella and tibia. The Ohio State Wrestling account on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted a photo of Ryan posing with members of his team at the Jennings Family Wrestling Practice Facility. Ryan was seen with a walker.
Good to have the boss man @Buckeye158 back in Jennings this weekend! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/dJRhtBjBKK
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) May 13, 2024
"Good to have the boss man (Ryan) back in Jennings this weekend!" the caption reads.
Ryan struck the rear of a parked semi-trailer truck in the right shoulder of Interstate 270 west of Interstate 71 at 5:53 a.m., April 21. Ryan's vehicle pushed the trailer back into the right lane. Both of Ryan's airbags were deployed. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, which closed the interstate for 90 minutes.
Ryan was cited for failure to control, a minor misdemeanor.
The family reported that Ryan had multiple surgeries to repair fractures in his left leg along with a tissue flap transfer from his right leg to his left knee.
![Wrestling coach Tom Ryan speaks to the media inside the new Covelli Center/Jennings Wrestling Facility on The Ohio State University campus on Monday, June 3, 2019. [Fred Squillante/Dispatch]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Vj_xiRo4Y0hiuFx8iU18ng--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-columbus-dispatch/59e1450a921fe7ffe4497906138e3f10)
"Throughout our time here at the hospital, we've become familiar faces to all the surgeons, residents, nurses, PCA's, and everyone else involved in Dad's care," Mackenzie Ryan, Tom's daughter, wrote in a statement April 29. "Words can't express how grateful we are for the incredible treatment he's received since day one. And leave it to Dad to lighten the mood by inviting the whole staff to a wrestling match.
"We're deeply touched by the outpouring of prayers and love from everyone during this time. We truly believe in the power of healing prayer, so please continue to keep Dad in your thoughts and prayers."
Head coach for Ohio State's wrestling program since 2006, Ryan led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2015 with runner-up finishes in 2008, 2009, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
At least 10 athletes in all 10 weight classes have qualified for the NCAA Tournament under Ryan's leadership at Ohio State.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tom Ryan, Ohio State wrestling coach, returns to OSU after accident
