Ryan Shilling

Ryan Shilling

Lakeland Football Coach

Coach Shilling was recognized after leading Lakeland to a 35–34 overtime victory over crosstown rival Yorktown — Lakeland’s first football win over Yorktown since 2009.

The win was memorable for the players, coaches, alumni, and community, but the way the team responded through adversity was an even stronger reflection of the culture Coach Shilling is working to build.

Words from Coach Shilling

This is my 11th year coaching football. I began my coaching career as an assistant freshman football coach at Carmel High School before spending five years as an assistant football coach at Lakeland High School under Mike Meadows. This is now my fifth year as the head football coach at Lakeland.

My best season as a head football coach came in 2023, when we finished 6-4 in Class B and advanced to the semifinals before losing to Pleasantville. My overall record as a head coach is 19-23. This past week was a particularly special one for our program, as we defeated Yorktown, 35-34 in overtime. It was Lakeland’s first football victory over Yorktown since 2009.

More importantly, the way our team responded throughout the game — especially when faced with adversity — was a reflection of the culture we are working to build.

During my ten years at Lakeland, I have also been fortunate to be involved in several different athletic programs. I have coached varsity baseball and basketball, JV softball, and varsity golf, and I currently serve as an assistant varsity basketball coach. I have also spent the past nine years as a Social Studies teacher at Lakeland High School.

I coach because I believe coaches have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on their players’ lives. Our team acronym, SWARM, represents the qualities we want our players to develop both as teammates and as future members of society: Selfless, Winning Edge, Accountable, Resilient, and Motivated.

I want our players to have an experience they will look back on with pride years from now — one filled with great memories, meaningful relationships, the excitement of winning, the lessons that come with losing, and the resilience that comes from overcoming adversity.

I am extremely motivated to continue building Lakeland football into a program that can consistently compete at the highest level. I want our players to believe that they can set a new standard for what is possible here while respecting and building upon the work of the coaches and players who came before us.

My own experiences as a player have had a major influence on the coach I have become. I played high school football at Carmel High School under Todd Cayea and later played college football at Union College under John Audino. My father, Bob Shilling, was a high school varsity baseball coach for 26 years, and watching the impact he had on his players has also had a tremendous influence on my approach to coaching.