Ryan Hinds is the first esports coach to be hired at Concordia University, Nebraska. Hinds graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He previously worked at Chief Ag in Kearney, Nebraska, as a design engineer.
Before becoming Concordia's esports coach, Hinds and his wife, Amanda, started the esports team at Elm Creek High School, one of the first high school esports teams in Nebraska. He coached the Elm Creek team for three years while also helping create the Nebraska Schools eSport Association (NSeSA), a nonprofit organization that promotes esports in Nebraska high schools.
Hinds was named the High School Coach of the Year by the National Association of Esport Coaches and Directors (NAECAD) in June of 2020. He was also elected the President of the NSeSA in 2019 and has served on their board of directors since 2018.