Ohio State wrestling coach Tom Ryan continues recovery after significant car accident
Ohio State wrestling coach Tom Ryan continues to recover from a significant automobile accident Tuesday morning, his family says.
According to a family statement, Ryan suffered multiple fractures in his left leg including his femur, patella and tibia after he struck the rear of a parked semi-trailer truck in the right shoulder of Interstate 270 west of Interstate 71 at 5:53 a.m.
"He's incredibly grateful to be alive, and so are we," Mackenzie Ryan, Tom's daughter, said in a statement April 25, the day of the accident.
Ryan's vehicle pushed the trailer back into the right lane. Both of Ryan's front airbags deployed. He was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, which closed the roadway for 90 minutes.
Related Tom Ryan article: Ohio State wrestling coach Tom Ryan involved in non-life-threatening car accident
![Ohio State head coach Tom Ryan yells at the referee during Ethan Smith, 174 lbs, match against Wisconsin Badgers at St. John Arena in Columbus on December 9, 2018. [Samantha Madar/Dispatch]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wDccqaBDucMRT.Tq0HtxZg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_gannett_aggregated_707/e02fefa1be955af56d9737f9043406bb)
Ohio State coach Tom Ryan's condition
The family states that Ryan has had multiple surgeries to repair fractures in his femur and patella, along with a tissue flap transfer from his right leg to his left knee. Ryan began rehabilitation Sunday.
On Monday, the family said Ryan would need a skin graft to close up the wound in his left leg to cover up "harvested skin, tissue, blood vessels, and nerves."
Doctors also suspect Ryan may have a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. An MRI is planned later in the week once Ryan is disconnected from all his monitors.
"Throughout our time here at the hospital, we've become familiar faces to all the surgeons, residents, nurses, PCA's, and everyone else involved in Dad's care," Mackenzie Ryan wrote in a statement Monday. "Words can't express how grateful we are for the incredible treatment he's received since day one. And leave it to Dad to lighten the mood by inviting the whole staff to a wrestling match."
If you would like to stay in the loop and receive daily updates on Coach Ryan’s recovery, head to the Caring Bridge page managed by his family linked below❤️
🔗 https://t.co/vF7jaWt3OGhttps://t.co/eumdic6GrR— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) April 27, 2024
"We're deeply touched by the outpouring of prayers and love from everyone during this time," she continued. "We truly believe in the power of healing prayer, so please continue to keep Dad in your thoughts and prayers."
A previous message said Ryan is expected to be in the hospital "for the next 10-12 days undergoing various forms of rehab."
Head coach for Ohio State's wrestling program since 2006, Ryan led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2015 with runner-up finishes in 2008, 2009, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tom Ryan, Ohio State wrestling coach, continues recovery after accident
