Story Courtesy: Todd Anderson, Mercer Athletics

Athletics department officials from Mercer University announced that men’s basketball head coach Ryan Ridder has agreed to a contract extension to lead the Bears through the 2030-31 season.

“I want to thank President Penny Elkins, Athletics Director Jim Cole and the entire Mercer University community for the opportunity to continue to lead the men’s basketball program,” Ridder said. “My family and I are so excited to be at Mercer and build on the foundation that we have laid. This is a special place, and we are grateful to be here. Go Bears!”

In his second year as head coach of the Bears in 2025-26, Ridder led the Bears to their most wins since joining the Southern Conference with a 19-13 overall record and 11-7 mark in SoCon play which was tied for the second-best record among league teams. 

Mercer boasted the top offense in the SoCon last season, averaging 82.7 points per game. The Bears tallied three games in which they topped the 100-point scoring plateau, including a 102-point night in a win at UNC Greensboro which marked the most points scored in a conference road game since 2005.

Mercer went 14-1 at home in 2025-26 which was the second-best record at home in program history, and Ridder was named a finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award for his coaching efforts.