West Virginia Native Ryan Switzer to Serve as Tulsa’s Interim Head Coach

Ryan Switzer can now add head coach to his resume. Switzer has been named Tulsa’s interim head coach in light of their decision to fire Kevin Wilson, as first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The move came down on Sunday after Wilson fell to 7-16 in his two seasons. Tulsa suffered a 63-30 loss at USF on Saturday. In two seasons at Tulsa, Wilson’s team lost nine games by more than 30 points.

So happy for @Switz. No matter the circumstances, this is a big opportunity for him. https://t.co/LgM3QdaHRJ

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) November 24, 2024

Switzer will now coach Tulsa in their season finale against FAU on Saturday.

Switzer is in his second season as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Tulsa. Switzer is an interesting choice as interim head coach, considering that the team had offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. listed as associate head coach as well as being offensive coordinator, Ron Burton listed as assistant head coach and defensive line coach and Chris Polizzi as defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Tulsa is the first coaching stop for the 30-year-old, who was forced to retire from football due to injuries in 2022. He did spend time as a volunteer coach at WVU’s spring session in 2022.

Switzer petitioned to be West Virginia’s wide receivers coach before Bilal Marshall was hired.

A Charleston, W.Va. native, Switzer attended North Carolina, where he was a four-time All-ACC selection and a two-time All-American as a wide receiver and punt returner. He led the NCAA in punt return yardage as a freshman in 2013.

Despite his 5-foot-9, 183-pound stature, Switzer was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but he had a hard time finding success as the NFL level as a receiver.

Switzer was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team as a punt return for the Cowboys in 2017, but was traded to the Raiders in April 2018. A few months later, the Raiders shipped him to Pittsburgh, along with a sixth-round draft pick, in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Switzer spent two seasons in Pittsburgh. In 2018, he played in all 16 games and made one start, catching a career high 36 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown while developing a connection with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He also returned 30 punts for 252 yards and 30 kickoffs or 607 yards.

In 2018, he played in nine games before being placed on the injured reserve with a back injury. He attempted to return to the team in 2020, but was waived in favor of Ray-Ray McCloud.

Switzer spent some time with the Cleveland Browns practice squad in 2020, before suffered another injury in 2021 that eventually ended his playing career.

Part of this story initially appeared on our partner site Steelers Now.

Find more coverage of Ryan Switzer at WV Sports Now.