Ryan Hernandez is in his 15th season as a member of the UC San Diego men's soccer coaching staff in 2022, and ninth as the associate head coach.

Hernandez arrived in La Jolla in July of 2008 as part of head coach Jon Pascale's initial staff. He became the top assistant for the 2013 season, and was promoted to associate head coach in March of 2014. He is actively involved in all facets of the program, including on-field coaching, recruiting, fund-raising, team travel, off-season training regimens and summer camps.

Hernandez helped guide the Tritons to nine straight campaigns of .500 or better to close out Division II, and 10 out of 11 in all. UC San Diego concluded its D2 era with a program-best six consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament berths, with NCAA Championship appearances in four seasons, in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2019. The Tritons advanced to the CCAA and West Region title matches in 2013, and all the way to the national semifinals in 2016 as CCAA regular-season, CCAA tournament and NCAA West Region treble winners.

UC San Diego has developed into one of the toughest defenses in the NCAA Division II. The Tritons ranked in the top 10 nationally in team goals-against average in three successive seasons (2012-14), leading the country in 2012 with a then-CCAA-record mark of 0.44. They were fourth in 2013 (0.52), again pacing the league, and seventh in 2014 (0.65).

In addition to his duties at UC San Diego, Hernandez was the boy's varsity head coach at San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) for several years until the 2015-16 season, leading the Lions to six CIF San Diego Section playoff appearances and a couple of Pacific League titles.

Hernandez began his coaching career at two schools he had previously attended. He took over the boy's varsity program at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach at the age of 20 after one season each of directing the junior varsity squad and assisting with the varsity. Hernandez led NHHS to a Sunset League title and a deep run in the CIF Southern Section playoffs in his first go-around in charge. He spent a total of seven years coaching there.

In 2007, Hernandez was an assistant coach at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. The Pirates finished with an 8-8-6 record, narrowly missing a spot in the Orange Empire Conference Championship. He also coached the U-16 side and helped with academy teams at the Pateadores Soccer Club in Costa Mesa.

Hernandez competed all four years and was a three-year varsity starter for Newport Harbor, captaining the Sailors as a senior. His playing career at OCC was cut short following one season as a sophomore due to a recurring back injury. With the Irvine Strikers and Pateadores club programs, his teams made three National Cup finals.

After attaining his associate degree from Orange Coast College in 2004, Hernandez earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Cal State Fullerton in 2007. He and his wife, Stacey, now reside in Encinitas. They welcomed their first child, son Cruz, in early January of 2017.