Ryan Osborn Tabbed New Defensive Coordinator
1/14/2026 1:30:00 PM | Football
Osborn joins the Lions after spending the 2025 season at Oklahoma State
NEW YORK — Columbia football has announced the hiring of Ryan Osborn as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Osborn arrives in Morningside Heights after most recently serving as defensive line coach at Oklahoma State during the 2025 season.
"Ryan brings a proven track record of developing elite defensive fronts and producing results at every level of football," said Patricia and Shepard Head Coach of Football Jon Poppe. "His experience coordinating defenses, working in the NFL, and developing student-athletes will be invaluable to our program. He's a tremendous teacher, a relentless recruiter, and someone who aligns perfectly with our culture."
In his lone season with the Cowboys, he worked closely with edge rusher Wendell Gregory, who was named Big 12 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Prior to Oklahoma State, Osborn served as defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Charlotte for two seasons. In 2024, Charlotte ranked No. 16 nationally in red-zone defense and No. 29 nationally in defensive touchdowns. In his first season, the 49ers improved by more than 10 points allowed per game, held six opponents to 140 passing yards or fewer, and set a program record by allowing 127 yards in a 10-7 win over East Carolina.
Osborn previously worked as a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2022-23 season, helping guide a unit that ranked third in the NFL in rushing defense, third in points allowed, and fifth in sacks, while reaching the AFC Playoffs.
Before his time in the NFL, Osborn served as a defensive analyst at Michigan during the 2021 season, helping guide one of the nation's top defensive units. Michigan ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense (17.4 ppg), 20th in total defense (330.9 ypg) and 11th in red zone touchdown efficiency (45.7%). He coached standout defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and outside linebacker David Ojabo. Hutchinson earned first-team All-America honors and finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist before going on to the NFL, while Ojabo was named a second-team All-American and later drafted by the Ravens.
Osborn served as defensive line coach and co-special teams coordinator at UT Martin in 2020 and spent four seasons as a defensive graduate assistant under head coach Dan Mullen at Mississippi State (2016-17) and Florida (2018-19), working alongside defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. During his time with the Gators, Florida ranked first in the SEC in interceptions, tackles for loss, sacks, and red-zone defense, and second in total defense and scoring defense. His responsibilities included running the opponent scout team and preparing weekly run-game and pass-protection reports.
Earlier coaching stops for Osborn include St. Norbert College (2014-15), Amherst College (2013) and Maine Maritime Academy (2011-12). He earned his bachelor's degree from Bridgewater State University in 2011 and his master's degree from Mississippi State University in 2017.
Columbia also announced that Andrew Kukesh has been promoted to co-defensive coordinator after playing a key role in the program's defensive improvement and development of multiple All-Ivy performers.
Chris Batti will transition to quarterbacks coach after coaching the tight ends for the past two seasons.
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"Ryan brings a proven track record of developing elite defensive fronts and producing results at every level of football," said Patricia and Shepard Head Coach of Football Jon Poppe. "His experience coordinating defenses, working in the NFL, and developing student-athletes will be invaluable to our program. He's a tremendous teacher, a relentless recruiter, and someone who aligns perfectly with our culture."
In his lone season with the Cowboys, he worked closely with edge rusher Wendell Gregory, who was named Big 12 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Prior to Oklahoma State, Osborn served as defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Charlotte for two seasons. In 2024, Charlotte ranked No. 16 nationally in red-zone defense and No. 29 nationally in defensive touchdowns. In his first season, the 49ers improved by more than 10 points allowed per game, held six opponents to 140 passing yards or fewer, and set a program record by allowing 127 yards in a 10-7 win over East Carolina.
Osborn previously worked as a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2022-23 season, helping guide a unit that ranked third in the NFL in rushing defense, third in points allowed, and fifth in sacks, while reaching the AFC Playoffs.
Before his time in the NFL, Osborn served as a defensive analyst at Michigan during the 2021 season, helping guide one of the nation's top defensive units. Michigan ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense (17.4 ppg), 20th in total defense (330.9 ypg) and 11th in red zone touchdown efficiency (45.7%). He coached standout defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and outside linebacker David Ojabo. Hutchinson earned first-team All-America honors and finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist before going on to the NFL, while Ojabo was named a second-team All-American and later drafted by the Ravens.
Osborn served as defensive line coach and co-special teams coordinator at UT Martin in 2020 and spent four seasons as a defensive graduate assistant under head coach Dan Mullen at Mississippi State (2016-17) and Florida (2018-19), working alongside defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. During his time with the Gators, Florida ranked first in the SEC in interceptions, tackles for loss, sacks, and red-zone defense, and second in total defense and scoring defense. His responsibilities included running the opponent scout team and preparing weekly run-game and pass-protection reports.
Earlier coaching stops for Osborn include St. Norbert College (2014-15), Amherst College (2013) and Maine Maritime Academy (2011-12). He earned his bachelor's degree from Bridgewater State University in 2011 and his master's degree from Mississippi State University in 2017.
Columbia also announced that Andrew Kukesh has been promoted to co-defensive coordinator after playing a key role in the program's defensive improvement and development of multiple All-Ivy performers.
Chris Batti will transition to quarterbacks coach after coaching the tight ends for the past two seasons.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on X, Instagram, Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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