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01/22/2020 11:00 PMBilly Ryan grew up in Madison, but attended high school at the Hopkins School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball with kids from around the region before continuing his football career at Colby College in Maine. While he always had a strong bond with his teammates, Billy never had a strong connection to a hometown, because they were all from different areas.
That all changed when Billy moved to Branford in 2012. Billy missed football and, prior to the 2013 season, he reached out to Hornets’ Head Coach John Limone about volunteering with the squad.
“I wanted to be involved with the town and knew the best way I could contribute was to help out with football any way I could,” says Billy. “I need to thank John for bringing me on and Mike Tracy, Gary [Gravina], and EJ [Sattelberger] for welcoming me into the team they had played for and coached. They taught me a lot about football and what it means to be a Branford Hornet. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I feel like Branford is home now 100 percent.”
Billy joined Branford’s coaching staff as a volunteer for his first season. Since he works full-time on the night shift as a Connecticut state trooper, Billy was unsure how often he’d be able to attend practices. Billy started that season working with the freshmen and found that he couldn’t stay away, despite his demanding schedule. In 2014, Billy was officially added to the staff, working with the quarterbacks and as the passing game coordinator.
Limone immediately saw the connection that Billy made with his fellow coaches, as well as the players. Limone appreciates the balancing act that Billy performs between his career and coaching.
“From the first minute Billy stepped onto the field, it was obvious he was someone I wanted around our staff, but more importantly, the players. His integrity and passion for the game were immediately evident, and his desire to learn and improve as a coach has been instrumental to the success of our players,” Limone says. “Billy has made a lot of sacrifices to be part of our staff, and we are lucky to have such a passionate, honest, and devoted person helping us navigate the tricky world that is high school football. I know our players are appreciative of his exuberance, and I am beyond grateful to have him with me on a daily basis.”
Billy feels grateful to his “amazing wife,” Katie Ryan, for her support, particularly during football season. The couple has a one year-old son, Patrick, and Billy looks forward to sharing his passion for sports with his son when he gets older.
Billy grew up playing football, starting his career when he was eight. After playing at Hopkins, he continued at Colby College before graduating with a history degree in 2008. While he loved the experience of competing at the collegiate level, Billy’s standout moments have nothing to do with scores or stats.
“I remember the times I had with my friends and, whether we won or lost, we were together. I see it a lot with these kids. Win or lose, they’re together,” says Billy. “That’s what I love about the game, and that’s what I missed after college when I wasn’t involved—being with the guys and having great times. I’ve always been told to give back to the game that gave a lot to me through youth, high school, and college.”
Following college, Billy stepped away from the game in order to find his career path. After returning to Connecticut, he earned a master’s degree from the University of New Haven, then had a job in sales that he didn’t enjoy.
Billy’s father had worked in the New Haven Fire Department for 40 years, and that inspired Billy to take the fire and police exams. Billy was hired as a state trooper and has worked nights with Troop G out of Bridgeport for the past decade.
“Once I got settled in, moved to Branford, had my schedule, I was able to get into coaching,” Billy says. “I had always wanted to be involved, but it wasn’t right time until then. When I got into coaching, it made my life so much better. Being around the kids we have in town makes it enjoyable.”
Now that Billy has been with the Hornets for seven seasons, he has seen several classes graduate. As a town resident, he still sees former players out and about in town or at the gym.
“It’s really cool watching them grow up freshman year to senior year,” says Billy. “For a couple hours a day, we can be good role model and teach them to be an adult and see that happen.”
Billy has enjoyed finding his place as part of the Branford community through football. He is already looking forward to next season and reiterates his gratitude for Limone and the entire coaching staff.
“I’m very happy being involved in my town and my community and taking pride in that. I just love being around the kids. I hope I can be a good role model for them and show them what it means to be an adult and be a man,” Billy says. “We have a great group of kids in Branford who just love being there. No matter what happens at work the night before, I go home, get a few hours sleep, and I’m up and happy to be with the kids every day.”