For over three decades, Steve Ridder has been at the helm of the Embry-Riddle men’s basketball program. He took the reins prior to the 1989-90 season and built a fledgling program into a small college basketball powerhouse. Ridder has posted a career record of 740-306, all at Embry-Riddle, putting him 43^rd all-time in career wins among college men’s basketball coaches, while his .707 winning percentage is currently 9th-best amongst active coaches with at least 600 victories.
 
Ridder, a native of basketball-rich Kentucky, went to Berea (Ky.) where he played for coaching legend Roland Wierwille for four seasons, serving as team captain for the Mountaineers before graduating in 1981. Ridder immediately moved from the court to the bench following his graduation, spending eight seasons as Wierwille’s top assistant. He helped Berea to a 148-76 record with a conference championship and national tournament berth along the way.
 
Ridder inherited an Embry-Riddle program that went winless on the court in its inaugural season in 1988-89. The Eagles won four games in Ridder’s first season (4-24) before an NAIA record turnaround in 1990-91, posting a 22-8 overall record and an 11-3 mark in conference play.
 
Since taking over at ERAU, Ridder has recorded over two decades worth of 20-win seasons, including five campaigns with 30 or more victories. From 1990-2015, Ridder posted a Sun Conference record of 241-83 (.744), which represents the most wins and best winning percentage in league history.

Full bio: https://erauathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/steve-ridder/1757