Ryan Hofer enters his 21st year since being appointed head coach of the Trinity Western University women’s volleyball program in 2006. Through the 2025-26 season, he has compiled an overall record of 493-165 and a 315-95 record in Canada West regular-season play during that tenure. Including his earlier season as interim head coach in 2003-04, his TWU head-coaching record stands at 499-181 overall and 320-110 in conference play.
Hofer has guided the Spartans to seven national medals: gold in 2015 and 2022, silver in 2016 and 2023, and bronze in 2011, 2013 and 2017. His teams have also won six Canada West championships, capturing titles in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023. That run included four consecutive conference crowns across the completed seasons from 2018-19 through 2022-23. Under Hofer, TWU has reached the postseason in every competitive season since his permanent appointment.
In 2025-26, Hofer guided Trinity Western to a 15-5 Canada West record, a conference silver medal and fourth place at the U SPORTS championship. The Spartans swept Saskatchewan in the quarterfinals and defeated UBC in five sets in the conference semifinal before falling to Alberta in the championship match. Hosting the national tournament at the Langley Events Centre, TWU swept UBC in the quarterfinals before losing to Alberta in the semifinals and Brock in a five-set bronze-medal match. The Spartans finished 23-9 overall. 2025-26 schedule
The Spartans finished 8-12 in Canada West in 2024-25 and advanced to the conference play-in round. TWU opened the regular season with four consecutive victories over MacEwan and Brandon and closed with a weekend sweep of Saskatchewan. Facing the Huskies again in the postseason, Trinity Western forced a deciding third match with a four-set victory in Game 2 before its season ended in Saskatoon. 2024-25 schedule
In 2023-24, Hofer led Trinity Western to a 19-5 Canada West record and a quarterfinal appearance. The Spartans opened conference play with 12 consecutive victories, sweeping Fraser Valley, Winnipeg, UBC Okanagan, Regina, Saskatchewan and Mount Royal. TWU added sweeps of Brandon, Thompson Rivers and MacEwan during the second half of the season. The campaign ended with a quarterfinal series loss to Alberta, bringing the Spartans’ four-title conference championship streak to a close. 2023-24 schedule
Hofer guided the Spartans to a fourth consecutive Canada West championship and a national silver medal in 2022-23. Trinity Western matched its highest conference win total under Hofer with a 22-2 regular-season record, then defeated UBC Okanagan and Winnipeg in playoff series before sweeping Mount Royal in the conference final. At nationals, TWU defeated McGill and Dalhousie to reach the championship match, where the Spartans fell to UBC in five sets. Trinity Western finished 38-4 overall. 2022-23 schedule
The 2021-22 campaign produced Hofer’s second national championship and fifth Canada West title. Trinity Western finished 15-1 in conference play and 30-2 overall, completing the season with five consecutive postseason victories. After defeating UBC in the conference semifinal, TWU beat Alberta in four sets to claim the Canada West championship. The Spartans then defeated Calgary, McGill and Mount Royal at nationals, securing the U SPORTS title with a four-set victory over the Cougars. Hofer also earned his second Canada West Coach of the Year award. 2021-22 schedule | Conference championship recap
Trinity Western did not compete in a Canada West season in 2020-21 after the conference cancelled volleyball competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019-20, Hofer guided Trinity Western to a 22-2 Canada West record and its fourth conference championship. The Spartans defeated Winnipeg in the quarterfinals and recovered from an opening-match loss to Thompson Rivers with consecutive straight-set victories to advance through the semifinals. TWU then defeated Alberta in five sets in the championship match at the Langley Events Centre. The Spartans finished 31-4 overall, with their pursuit of a national title halted when the U SPORTS championship was cancelled because of COVID-19. 2019-20 schedule | National championship cancellation
Hofer led the Spartans to a 19-5 Canada West record and the program’s third conference championship in 2018-19. Trinity Western defeated Mount Royal and Alberta in postseason series before sweeping Calgary in the Canada West final. At nationals, TWU fell to UBC in a five-set quarterfinal before responding with five-set victories over Montreal and Toronto to finish fifth. The Spartans completed the season with a 35-6 overall record. 2018-19 schedule
In 2017-18, Trinity Western finished 15-9 in Canada West and advanced to the conference quarterfinals. The Spartans closed the regular season with back-to-back victories over Thompson Rivers before facing Alberta in a best-of-three playoff series. TWU recovered from an opening-match loss to win Game 2 in four sets, but fell in the deciding contest in Edmonton. 2017-18 schedule
The Spartans earned bronze medals at both the Canada West and U SPORTS championships in 2016-17. Hofer’s team posted a 21-3 conference record and defeated Mount Royal in the quarterfinals before falling to UBC in the conference semifinal. TWU swept UBC Okanagan to secure Canada West bronze. At nationals, the Spartans defeated McMaster, lost to UBC in the semifinals and edged Montreal in five sets in the bronze-medal match, finishing 35-6 overall. 2016-17 schedule
In 2015-16, Hofer guided Trinity Western to a second consecutive Canada West championship and a national silver medal. The Spartans finished 20-4 in conference play and advanced past Thompson Rivers in the quarterfinals before winning five-set matches against Alberta and UBC Okanagan to retain the conference title. TWU defeated Brandon and UBC at nationals to reach a second straight championship match, where its season ended against Toronto. The Spartans finished 31-5 overall. 2015-16 schedule
The 2014-15 season marked a historic breakthrough as Hofer led Trinity Western to its first Canada West and national championships. After finishing 19-5 in conference play, TWU defeated Brandon in the quarterfinals and won five-set matches against UBC Okanagan and Alberta to capture the conference crown. At nationals, the Spartans defeated Laval in five sets and swept Montreal before overcoming Alberta in another five-set final. TWU closed the season with 12 consecutive victories and a 30-6 overall record. 2014-15 schedule
Hofer guided the Spartans to a 17-5 Canada West record, a conference bronze medal and fifth place at nationals in 2013-14. Trinity Western swept Regina in the quarterfinals, then rebounded from a semifinal loss to Manitoba with a four-set victory over UBC Okanagan in the bronze-medal match. After losing its national quarterfinal to Dalhousie, TWU defeated Ottawa and Regina to close the season with a 29-7 overall record. 2013-14 schedule
In 2012-13, Trinity Western posted a 19-3 Canada West record and earned conference silver and national bronze. The Spartans defeated Calgary in the quarterfinals and Alberta in the semifinals before falling to UBC in the Canada West final. TWU swept Dalhousie in its national opener, lost to UBC in the semifinals and swept Ottawa to secure the program’s second national medal under Hofer. The Spartans finished 30-7 overall. 2012-13 schedule
The Spartans finished 13-7 in Canada West in 2011-12, earning a conference bronze medal and returning to the national championship. Trinity Western defeated Calgary in the quarterfinals before falling to UBC in the semifinals and sweeping Winnipeg in the bronze-medal match. At nationals, TWU recovered from an opening loss to Montreal with victories over Queen’s and Saint Mary’s to finish fifth. 2011-12 schedule
Hofer led Trinity Western to a 15-3 Canada West record, conference silver and the program’s first national medal in 2010-11. The Spartans defeated Regina and Alberta in the conference playoffs before falling to UBC in a five-set final. At nationals, TWU defeated Western in the quarterfinals, lost to Laval in the semifinals and beat Alberta in four sets for bronze. Hofer was named both Canada West and CIS Coach of the Year, becoming the first TWU women’s volleyball coach to receive the national honour. 2010-11 schedule | National coaching award
In 2009-10, Trinity Western finished 13-7 in Canada West and advanced to the conference Final Four. The Spartans closed the regular season with consecutive weekend sweeps of Saskatchewan and Thompson Rivers, then defeated Alberta in two matches in the quarterfinals. TWU finished fourth in the conference after five-set losses to Manitoba in the semifinal and Regina in the bronze-medal match. 2009-10 schedule
Hofer guided Trinity Western to a 14-6 Canada West record and a conference silver medal in 2008-09. The Spartans defeated Manitoba in the quarterfinals and Alberta in a five-set semifinal before narrowly losing to UBC in another five-set match for the championship. At nationals, TWU fell to Laval in the quarterfinals before defeating Moncton and York to finish fifth. The Spartans completed the season with a 24-9 overall record. 2008-09 schedule
In 2007-08, Trinity Western posted a 14-6 Canada West record and advanced to the conference quarterfinals. The Spartans finished the regular season with four consecutive victories, sweeping Simon Fraser and UBC. TWU then pushed Alberta to a deciding third playoff match, winning Game 2 in four sets before its season ended against the Pandas. 2007-08 schedule
Hofer’s first season following his permanent appointment, 2006-07, saw Trinity Western finish 15-5 in Canada West and place fourth at both the conference and national championships. The Spartans defeated Regina in the quarterfinals before falling to Alberta and Calgary at the Canada West Final Four. At nationals, TWU earned a five-set quarterfinal victory over Manitoba before losing to Laval in the semifinals and Calgary in the bronze-medal match. 2006-07 schedule
Hofer previously served as interim head coach in 2003-04 while his wife, Carol, took maternity leave. Trinity Western finished 5-15 in Canada West and 6-16 overall that season. The Spartans swept Saskatchewan, won three conference matches against Simon Fraser and closed the regular season with back-to-back victories over the Clan. 2003-04 schedule
Internationally, Hofer has coached Canadian teams at the senior, university and age-group levels. In 2024, he was named head coach of Canada’s U17 women’s national team ahead of the FIVB U17 World Championship in Peru. U17 appointment
Hofer served as an assistant coach with Canada’s senior women’s team at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and as associate head coach of Canada’s women’s team at the 2015 Summer Universiade in South Korea. In 2012, he coached the Spartans while they represented Canada at the U23 Pan American Cup.
His earlier national-team experience includes serving as an assistant coach at the 2009 FISU Games in Belgrade, Serbia, and with Canada’s junior national team in 2005. He was also head coach of Canada’s youth national team in 2006.
Before his permanent appointment, Hofer spent five years as an assistant coach with the Spartans. In 2005-06, he helped Trinity Western earn Canada West bronze and make its first appearance at the national championship. Alongside his university responsibilities, he was extensively involved in club volleyball and received Volleyball Canada’s Male Coach of the Year award following the 2004 season.
Hofer graduated from Briercrest Bible College in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry. He holds NCCP Level IV certification in indoor volleyball and Level II certification in beach volleyball.
