Biography

Ryan Mantlo enters his thirteenth year at Cape Fear Community College and fourth as Director of Athletics. Mantlo hit the ground running in his new role in 2016, increasing the athletic scholarships awarded by 50 percent and setting his sights on making the student-athlete experience his chief goal. With that in mind, Mantlo spearheaded an agreement with the City of Wilmington to make Legion Stadium the new home of Sea Devil Soccer. Legion Stadium, a 6,000 seat stadium, was home to the Wilmington Hammerheads of the PDL and boasts a state of the art scoreboard and artificial turf to allow for a higher level of play. Next, Mantlo set his sights on taking the men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball programs to the next level with the Schwartz Center Renovation. Included in the renovation are new locker rooms, an academic center and player lounge, a new weight room, and a training room. New LED lights brighten up the arena showcasing a state-of-the-art wood floor, roll-away goals, chair back bleachers, and a video board. Sea Devil Athletics opened this newly renovated state of the art facility in February 2019. The final piece of Mantlo’s initial vision was to make the academic side mirror the same success his athletic teams have showcased. With this new plan in motion, Sea Devil student-athletes have reached levels never obtained before.

Mantlo prior served as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach. During Coach Mantlo’s twelve seasons at the helm of the men’s basketball program, the Sea Devils won six Region 10 Tournament titles, six District 10 championships, and reached the National Tournament six times. Mantlo garnered District 10 Coach of the Year six times and was also named Region 10 Coach of the Year three times, most recently in his final season on the sidelines in 2019. During his tenure at CFCC, Mantlo averaged over 20 wins a season while producing 27 all-conference players and three Region 10 Players of the Year. He also produced the school’s first-ever basketball All-Americans, Monquel Pegues in 2007, Cephas Oglesby in 2010, Emmanuel Andrews in 2012, Faronte Drakeford in 2013, Anthony Vanhook in 2015, and Donte Tatum in 2019. Coach Mantlo also produced the school’s first-ever first-team All-American in Tavares Speaks in 2011.

As a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, Mantlo served as team captain leading the Flames basketball team to a Big South conference championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. As a junior, Mantlo made an immediate impact on the Liberty basketball program by contributing a record number of minutes played, a team-leading 81 assists, and a team-leading 57 steals. During the same year, Mantlo recorded a double-double against the University of Iowa with 10 points and 10 rebounds while also adding four steals against the Big Ten Conference powerhouse. His former coach Randy Dunton noted Mantlo’s “leadership abilities on the court” and his “basketball savvy” as two of his main attributes. Mantlo led his team to an 18-15 record during the 2003-2004 season, a conference championship, and to an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament; a season and a career highlight.

Mantlo currently resides in Wilmington with his wife Nikky, daughter Mason, son Weston and dog Hutch.

Education

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Sports Management, Liberty University

Awards and Publications

• 6 X District Coach of the Year
• 3 X Region Coach of the Year
• Wilmington’s Top 50 Notable Coaches