Coach Ryan Cavanagh—known to many as “Coach Cav”—is the Head Varsity Boys Tennis Coach at Connetquot High School, a position he has held since 2006, and the founder of Apex Athletics. With over 30 years of experience in athletics and education, Coach Cavanagh is deeply committed to player development, mentorship, and community engagement.

He began teaching tennis in 1994 and became a certified United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) teaching pro in 1998. From 1998 to 2005, he served as the Children’s Director at Park Avenue Tennis in Huntington, NY, where he helped grow one of Long Island’s most respected junior tennis programs. He was also the Head Pro at LaRonde Beach Club from 2000 to 2017, working with players of all ages and levels for nearly two decades.

Coach Cavanagh also coached at the collegiate level, leading the Dowling College Men’s Tennis Team to two NCAA Tournament appearances in just three seasons.

In an effort to bring affordable, high-quality tennis instruction to the local community, Coach Cavanagh launched the Thunder Tennis Academy, now known as Apex Athletics. Designed for students in the Connetquot School District, the program focuses on introducing tennis to younger athletes before middle school. The Apex Athletics curriculum, written and developed by Coach Cavanagh, emphasizes strong fundamentals, movement, and energy in a structured, supportive environment.

In addition to his tennis coaching, Coach Cavanagh has also served as the Head Coach of the Connetquot Varsity Girls Soccer Team from 2006 to 2009 and again from 2016 to the present.

Outside of athletics, Coach Cavanagh has been a dedicated classroom teacher at Cherokee Street Elementary School since 1999, with over 25 years of service to the district. His dual roles as educator and coach speak to his passion for youth development, leadership, and creating meaningful learning experiences both on and off the court.

Whether working with varsity athletes or first-time players, Coach Cav brings energy, professionalism, and a deep love of teaching to every session.