A talented coach who has made meaningful contributions to the Golden Eagles, Ryan Lew returns for his eighth season with the Cal State LA women’s basketball program. During his tenure, he has been a valuable assistant coach who has played a key role in the team’s growth and development both on and off the court.
Known for his energy, detailed-oriented approach and commitment to player development, Lew brings a global perspective and a deep passion for mentorship to his coaching.
He helped the Golden Eagles to a historic season in 2025-26 as Cal State LA captured the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament title for the first conference championship in program history. The Golden Eagles finished with a 24-7 overall record and an 18-4 conference mark, setting new program records for wins both for a season and for conference play. The Golden Eagles also set a new program record with a 15-game winning streak, which smashed the previous record of eight in a row that had stood since 1986.
Lew helped the Golden Eagles make a fifth straight CCAA Tournament appearance and a third NCAA appearance in the past four years.
Lew joined the Golden Eagles in the 2019-20 season when Torino Johnson became the head coach. He has helped the Golden Eagles to an 105-69 record in his first six seasons and has helped the program earn 24 All-CCAA awards, three All-Region awards and two All-Americans in guards Nicole Flennaugh and Nevaeh Asiasi during his time with the program. Asiasi also became the program’s first CCAA Player of the Year and the first to win CCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
The Golden Eagles have reached the CCAA Tournament five times and the NCAA Tournament three times during his tenure.
Lew graduated from Arizona State University, where he earned his degree in Sports Business and Media Studies, blending his understanding of athletics, communication and leadership into his coaching style.
Before his college career, Lew attended Shanghai American School, where he was a three-sport varsity athlete in basketball, soccer, and rugby — experiences that shaped his competitive mindset and team-first philosophy.
Lew’s coaching journey has been guided and influenced by respected mentors such as Torino Johnson, Frank Allocco Jr., Jimmy Estrada and Eric Swan, whose impact continues to inspire his approach to the game. Dedicated to empowering student-athletes and building a championship culture, Lew strives to help every player reach their fullest potential – on the court, in the classroom and in life.
Lew is a native of Oakland, Calif.
