Biola University Athletics

Biola Athletics announced Torrey Stricklin as its new head men's soccer coach in April 2020. Stricklin will be the 10th head coach in the 60-year history of the program. He comes to Biola after spending two seasons as the lead assistant and recruiting coordinator at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. 

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 Lee's first NCAA Division II National Tournament. 

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.

"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!"

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.

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 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 Lee Head Men's Soccer Coach 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."