Ryan Cheek enters his first season as a college football coach after a successful playing career at NC State and a two-year stint as a NASCAR pit crew member. A native of nearby Lancaster, Ohio, Cheek was a linebacker and a fullback who also contributing on special teams for three seasons. As a senior, Cheek was the Wolfack’s starting fullback. That season he received the Team Before Self Award from the NC State coaching staff.
After his playing career ended, Cheek earned an invitation to the training camp of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. After being released by the Alouettes in training camp, he moved on to motor sports as a jack man, working ARCA, Truck Series, Xfinity and the Cup series for drivers Clint Bowyer, Cole Witt, and Matt DiBenedetto. Cheek will coach the Big Red’s outside linebackers this season.
