St. John Central grad Ryan Alexander steps down after successful run as Grove City baseball coach

By Jeff Harrison

  Ryan Alexander took his considerable talents on the baseball diamond at both St. John Central and Muskingum University into coaching where he continued to excel.

  After 17 years as head coach at Grove City High School, Alexander decided earlier this summer to step away, leaving a legacy of respect and success.

  Alexander served as an assistant to Jim Habermehl for five years (Martins Ferry’s Josh Lucas was also on the staff) before becoming head coach of the Grove City Greyhounds in 2009. “Coach A” amassed a career record of 337-139 (a winning percentage of 71%). He guided three teams to the OHSAA Division I State Tournament – the 2011 team losing 7-2 in the semifinals to eventual champion Lakota East to finish with a 23-7 record; the 2012 team falling 3-2 to eventual champion Cincinnati Moeller in the semifinals to finish at 25-3; and the 2022 team defeating Mason 4-1 in the semifinals before falling to Sylvania Northview 6-1 in the championship game to finish at 26-8.

  His team’s success continued in what proved to be his final season, with the Greyhounds reaching the 2025 Division I Regional final before falling, 4-2, to yet another eventual state champion – Lewis Center Olentangy – to bow out at 21-9.

  Alexander-coached GC teams won a total of six district championships and 10 Ohio Capital Conference titles with only one losing season (12-14 in 2019). He was named OCC Coach of the Year nine times; ABCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2022 and was inducted into the Central District Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2025. He served on the Central District Coaches Association Executive Board and was the Central District representative for the OHSBCA.

  Among a bevy of talented players, Alexander coached pitcher Mike Mayers – who played at the University of Mississippi before embarking on a 12-year professional career that ended when he announced his retirement in June. Mayers was drafted in the third round in 2013 by the St. Louis Cardinals and he also played for the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals.

  Alexander noted out that Grove City reminded him of “home” in a variety of ways immediately.

 “I tell everyone in Grove City that this town is no different than every person and athlete that I grew up with in the Ohio Valley – a blue-collar work ethic and a community that is crazy about sports,” he said. “It was truly a perfect fit and probably one of the few Central Ohio programs that may have been compatible with my style and beliefs.”

  In the end, the desire to spend more time with his family was a big reason for Alexander’s decision to step away.

  “It was a very tough decision,” he said upon announcing his retirement. “This community’s done so much for me and my family, and I absolutely love the kids I got to coach here.

  “My oldest daughter (Avery) is going to be a freshman in high school, and I’ve missed so many of her events of her and I don’t want to do that to my next two kids (Ryder, a sixth grader, and Harper, a fourth grader). I’m excited to just be a dad.”

  Alexander, who was an Intervention Specialist at Grove City, pointed out that baseball has been good to him in many ways.

  “Baseball has taken me all over the country,” he offered. “I have worked at the Ohio State camps for 15 years, the Vanderbilt camp, the Ole Miss camp, the Wright State camp and a number of other local college camps. I’ve also been a member of the Team USA NTIS (National Team Identification Series) staff which evaluates players and helps select athletes to the national teams.

  “It has been a true pleasure to work with so many great coaches around the country,” he added.

  A 1999 graduate of St. John Central, Alexander was a standout in baseball and basketball for the Fighting Irish.

  In baseball, the talented centerfielder batted a lofty .506 as a senior, earning him first team All-OVAC Class A including Player of the Year honors. He was also a first team All-Eastern District Division IV and All-Valley selection and played in both the OVAC and Eastern District all-star games.

  In basketball, he averaged 14.1 points per game as a senior and received first team All-OVAC Class A, All-District 12 and All-Valley accolades along with special mention All-Eastern District. He played in the OVAC and District 12 all-star games.

  At Muskingum, he continued to excel on the baseball diamond, finishing his career with a solid .384 batting average (still fourth all-time for the Muskies); had 157 hits and 66 walks which also rank highly on the all-time lists.

  As a senior, he hit .463 (the 4^th best single-season mark) with 63 hits (7^th all-time) and 27 walks (10^th all-time), earning All-Ohio Athletic Conference first team honors for his efforts as well as being a second team ABCA All-Mideast Region selection after receiving second team as a junior. He was also an Academic All-OAC selection as a junior and senior; an NCAA Division III Academic All-American as a senior; and received the William G. Moore Outstanding Senior Male Athlete and OAC’s Clyde Lamb Award.

  Alexander’s brother, Nate (Martins Ferry High School, Class of 2002), recently learned that the basketball court at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida will be named in his honor in November.

  Who knows? Maybe someday a baseball field in Grove City will don the name of another Alexander brother.