Ryan ready to coach

Saying that post-operative tests show her to be "free and clear" of the cancer that forced an Aug. 14 operation to remove a growth in a pancreatic duct, U.Va. women's basketball coach Debbie Ryan is back in the office and says she expects to return to her duties full-time by the start of preseason practice Oct. 14.

At a Sept. 4 press conference attended by her staff, former players, friends and family, Ryan said she was "extremely fortunate," and praised the care she received at the University Medical Center. "If I had to rank my experience, it would be a 10 on a scale of 10."

Ryan is entering her 24th season as U.Va.'s head women's basketball coach. She said she will not travel as usual during the recruiting period that begins in mid-September.