Liberty Debate Team Coaching Staff

John F. Nagy - Assistant Director of Debate
jnagy@liberty.edu

Debated for the University of Mary Washington. Won the American Debate Association (ADA) National Tournament twice (Novice and Junior Varsity). Traveled extensively to regional and national tournaments at the varsity division and was a second alternate to the National Debate Tournament (NDT). Holds a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from George Washington University.  Joined the Liberty Debate Staff in 2005. 

Nicholas J. Ryan, Assistant Director of Debate
nryan@liberty.edu

Coach Ryan debated for Iowa City West High School, Iowa City, IA and was a Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifier. As a varsity debater for Mary Washington University he qualified to the NDT three times and won the University of Richmond Tournament. He also won the junior varsity division and First Speaker at the ADA National Tournament his freshman year.
Joined the Liberty Debate Staff in 2008. 

Heather Holter Hall - Assistant Debate Coach
hhhall@liberty.edu

Graduated from Liberty with a B.S. in English in 1997 where she 
debated for three years. Coached debate at Penn State University from 1997-1998 and at Liberty University from 1998-present. Taught at the Liberty Debate Institute from 1998 through the present. 

Cole A. Bender - Assistant Debate Coach
cabender@liberty.edu

Graduated from Liberty with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2009 and an M.A. in Religious Studies in 2011.  He is a former varsity member of the Liberty debate team and has coached for Liberty since 2011.