LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Athletics announces Torrey Stricklin as its new head men's soccer coach. Stricklin will be the 10th head coach in the 60-year history of the program. He comes to Biola after spending last two seasons as the lead assistant and recruiting coordinator at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.

"Torrey is an excellent addition to our Biola Athletics team," said Senior Director of Athletics Dr. Bethany Miller. "He has a strong coaching expertise, cares deeply for the discipleship of student-athletes and I am thrilled to welcome him to Biola. He is passionate about people and process, and we expect great things for him and the men's soccer program!"

"I would like to thank Athletic Director Dr. Miller, Associate Athletic Director Eddie Shepard and the rest of the hiring committee for this great honor and privilege of leading the men's soccer program at Biola University," said Stricklin. "I am incredibly humbled to be in this position. I have known of Biola University for a long time and everything that this institution stands for makes it the right fit for my family. From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt at home and knew that I would be surrounded by people that believed in doing things the right way on and off the field."

During his two seasons at Lee, the Flames went 21-11-8 overall and finished top-5 in the Gulf South Conference both years. The 2019 season saw Stricklin help the Flames to the GSC Conference Tournament Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. 

It was Lee's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. Stricklin's side faced Queens University of Charlotte in the opening round, being eliminated from the tournament by a penalty kick shootout.

Stricklin played his college soccer at Gordon College, a NCAA Division III institution in Wenham, Mass. He played for the Fighting Scots from 2012-15 under the current Lee University head coach, Derek Potteiger. The Eagles' new lead man played 64 matches over his four-year career, starting at least six matches each season, but averaging 13.5 starts over his last two campaigns.

The left back played 3,945 minutes for those Scots, helping the team to a 55-25-3 overall record during his time in Massachusetts. He was a part of a great program turnaround, taking a team that was 6-12-1 his freshman year to 19, 14 and 16 wins the three years following. His playing career culminated with a captaincy, conference tournament championship and a trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament second round during his senior season.

"I have known Torrey since he was a 15-year-old high school player, and it has been my privilege to be a part of his soccer journey since then. It is no surprise to me, then, that he has earned this opportunity at Biola," said Derek Potteiger. "There is no question in my mind Torrey will be an excellent head coach.  He possesses the right mix of all the necessary attributes to succeed in this profession, and additionally he has awareness and savviness of how to lead at quite a young age. Quite frankly, Biola is getting a real gem. We wish him and his family all the best in this new opportunity and look forward to following his success in the many, many years to come."

Before his time at Lee, Stricklin spent one season as an assistant for the NCAA Division I Brown University Bears. He helped the Bears to a .500 overall record and .500 record in Ivy League play during his one year in Rhode Island.

He followed that up with work at a top club team in the New England Revolution Academy, which is associated with Major League Soccer. Here he worked with the region's most elite players, developing talent for top NCAA Division I programs, the U.S. National Team programs and the top level within the New England Revolution system. While he was there the Revolution's academy was recognized as one of the top-10 youth development programs in the country.

Stricklin's time at Lee and Gordon prepare him well for taking the reigns of a competitive men's soccer program at a faith-based institution.

It's a perfect time for Stricklin to transition into a head coaching role, having excelled with his increased responsibilities during his time at Lee. He had the lead role in all recruiting efforts and video analysis and his on-field responsibilities included managing a Flames defense which allowed only 36 goals in his 40 matches on the sideline (0.9/gm).

"One of the things I am so thrilled about is the opportunity to work at a university that has such high standards, but one that also places such a value on culture and the holistic development of the student-athletes," said Stricklin. "This is a responsibility I do not take lightly and we will strive every day in the pursuit of growth in every aspect of life both on and off the field to produce a program that the university, community and alumni can be proud of."

Stricklin holds a B.A. in social work from Gordon College and has done extensive research in sports sociology, sports psychology and the history & philosophy of sport.

"I think that Torrey brings just the right blend of Christian leadership, hard work and soccer experience to our men's soccer program," said Associate Athletic Director Eddie Shepard, who supervises men's soccer. "I cannot wait to see our student-athletes thrive under his leadership and care."

Stricklin inherits a Biola Men's Soccer program with a 504-487-116 all-time record. The Eagles have won eight matches in each of the last three seasons and have not had a record under .500 since 2010. The first-year coach will have a treasure trove of talent at the goalkeeper position with two all-conference keepers on the depth chart in JD Gunn and Luis Rodriguez. 

"I very much want to be on the front foot and I want our team at Biola to set the agenda of the game and dictate the tempo at which the game is played," said Stricklin. "It is my job to create an environment where the players have the confidence to play with courage and freedom and never fear-based or on the back foot. We want to attack in an aggressive and dynamic way. It is a possession-based style of soccer, but we will move the ball extremely fast, looking to penetrate all the time and pushing numbers forward running at the opposition's defense in order to create as many goal-scoring opportunities as possible."

Stricklin will relocate to Biola from Tennessee, bringing with him his wife Shelby and their nine-month-old son, Clayton. He and Shelby met during his time at Gordon College, where she was a right back on the women's soccer team. She serves as a math teacher, credentialed for fifth through 12th grade. They both consider themselves to be native New Englanders.

The 2020 Biola Men's Soccer season begins with a home exhibition against NAIA member Westcliff on Sept. 3. The season-opener is also at home as Biola hosts Stanislaus State for a 4 p.m. match on Saturday, Sept. 5.