Ryan Brownlee is an American baseball coach and former professional baseball player with deep ties to Evansville, Indiana. He is currently Assistant Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Brownlee previously served as head baseball coach at Western Illinois University from 2013 to 2019.

Playing career

Brownlee attended Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, where he was a member of the Tigers’ 1993 state championship baseball team.

He continued his career at the University of Evansville, playing four seasons under his father, longtime Aces head coach Jim Brownlee. A four-year starter, Brownlee earned All-Conference honors twice, was an ABCA All-Region selection and received UE’s William V. Slyker Award as the university’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete.

Brownlee played professionally for his hometown Evansville Otters in 1997.

Coaching career

Brownlee began coaching as an assistant at the University of Evansville before joining James Madison University. He later spent nine seasons at the University of Iowa, where he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

In 2012, Brownlee was named head coach at Western Illinois University, leading the Leathernecks from 2013 through 2019.

Brownlee later joined the American Baseball Coaches Association, where he currently serves as Assistant Executive Director. He also hosts the organization’s ABCA Podcast, interviewing coaches and other figures from throughout baseball.

Brownlee is a member of the Greater Evansville Baseball Hall of Fame.