Des Ryan is the fitness education manager for the I.R.F.U. Part of his role is to run the I.R.F.U. certified conditioning coach course and the I.R.F.U. / I.A.WL.A. weight lifting level 1 & Level 2 courses. Des also manages the continued professional development system for IRFU Fitness Staff.

He also manages the fitness structure for rugby players Under 19 years of age. Before Des started his position with the IRFU he was the head fitness advisor for the Connacht Rugby Senior team form 1999 to 2008.

During this time Des has worked with the Ireland A rugby team for 3 years and assisted with the Ireland senior team. Outside of rugby Des has worked with the Roscommon and Galway senior football teams and has trained both counties to win the Connacht senior football championship. Des has also trained the Galway U21 footballers to win the All Ireland in 2005 and the Galway Senior Camogie team to an All Ireland Final in 2008. He is also a tutor with setanta college.