Friends' Central Picks Alum As New Men's Basketball Coach

Following Jason Polykoff's that he was leaving his coaching job at to take a job at Penn, Friends' Central School announced yesterday their decision to bring on Ryan Tozer '01 as the new boys varsity basketball coach for the school.

According to a FCS press release, Tozer, who has been teaching in the Philadelphia School District since 2006, will be replacing Polykoff in each of his previous roles, which include serving as a Friends’ Central Middle School math teacher and sports information director.

In his years at Friends' Central, Tozer became one of nine Friends' Central basketball players to make FCS's 1,000-point scoring list. At Eastern University, he achieved the third all-time leading score for men's basketball, according to the release.

In his coaching career, Tozer:

• Started the men’s basketball program at Rosemont College, "guid[ing] his team to its first post-season appearance in just its third year of existence. The team finished 13-12 in the regular season."
• Served as an assistant coach with the Holy Family University men’s basketball team
• Served as a member of the La Salle University basketball staff

Tozer will need to fill the shoes of a coach who left the school with a 113-28 career record. Polykoff led his boys' basketball team to two Friends Schools League championships in 2010 and 2011, as well as four consecutive state titles from 2009 to 2012. One of Polykoff's players, Amile Jefferson, to play for some of the country's best teams, and .

“The experience I gained as a player at Eastern and as a college assistant and head coach over the last few years has prepared me to keep Friends' Central a top program in the region,” Tozer told FCS. “I have a passion for the game, which I hope to pass on to my players. Preparation, dedication, and maximum effort will be expected in the classroom and on the court. I can't wait to get started.”