Ryan Bitka joined the University at Albany football staff as an offensive assistant in 2025 and currently serves as an offensive quality control coach. A native of Amherst, New York, Bitka arrived in Albany following a decorated playing career at SUNY Cortland, where he established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the country. During his tenure at Cortland, he was a cornerstone of a Red Dragon program that reached the pinnacle of Division III football, highlighted by a 2023 National Championship and a historic 23-game winning streak.
Bitka’s transition to the UAlbany staff in 2025 marked the beginning of his collegiate coaching career, where he immediately contributed to the development of the Great Danes’ offensive front and overall game planning. During his initial season on staff, he worked closely with the offensive unit as it navigated a challenging CAA schedule, providing a fresh perspective rooted in recent high-level championship experience.
As a player, Bitka was a third-team D3football.com All-American and a two-year team captain at SUNY Cortland. Starting in 47 consecutive games across the offensive line, he anchored units that consistently ranked among the top ten nationally in total offense and scoring. In 2024, he was named a First Team All-Region and First Team All-Empire 8 selection for the second consecutive year. His leadership on the field was instrumental in Cortland setting multiple school records for total offense and rushing yards.
Football runs deep in the Bitka family, as Ryan is the son of Terry Bitka, a legendary figure in Western New York coaching who spent 36 years on the staff at Buffalo State. Ryan followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a captain at Cortland, the same program where his father was once a standout lineman. His sister, Emily, also has ties to the Capital Region, having competed for the UAlbany women's lacrosse team before embarking on her own successful coaching career. Bitka graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2024 with a degree in fitness development.
Â
