Ryan Manalac

Biography

Ryan Manalac comes to UConn for the 2026 season and will be the Huskies defensive coordinator on head coach Jason Candle’s staff. Manalac, a former standout collegiate linebacker at Cincinnati, spent the last five seasons at Pittsburgh as linebackers coach. Manalac’s arrival at Pitt served as a reunion with head coach Pat Narduzzi as the pair previously worked together when Narduzzi was defensive coordinator at Cincinnati and Michigan State. Manalac’s linebacker unit has been instrumental for a Pitt defense that annually ranks among the nation’s stingiest. He has also produced some highly productive and decorated individual players. In 2024, Manalac helped guide linebacker Kyle Louis to arguably the nation’s most versatile defensive campaign of the year. Louis became the first sophomore defensive player at Pitt to earn First Team All-America since the legendary Hugh Green in 1978. He totaled 105 tackles, four interceptions, a forced fumble, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 27 pressures and nine QB hurries—a stat line that has only been recorded one other time in college football over the last decade. Additionally, linebacker Rasheem Biles totaled 77 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception (returned for a touchdown) in the regular season, with his average of 1.3 TFLs per game ranking 10th nationally. Biles was selected All-ACC (second team by Associated Press and third team by conference voting panel). Moreover, Manalac saw linebacker Brandon George earn