Lee men's soccer coach Derek Potteiger has announced the hiring of Torrey Stricklin as the new assistant coach for the Flames.
Stricklin comes to Lee after a successful playing career for coach Potteiger at Gordon College (2012-2016).
After graduating in 2016 Stricklin served on staff at Brown University as an assistant coach in 2017 and was also a coach for a top club team in the New England Revolution Academy. Stricklin has his national coaching diploma from the United Soccer Coaches.
"I've known Derek for several years and loved playing for him so I jumped at the opportunity to join his staff here at Lee," said Stricklin.
"We have built a great relationship both on and off the field. I love his vision and the culture he is establishing here at Lee."
"I am thrilled to have Torrey join the Lee men's soccer family. He and I have known each other for quite some time as I initially recruited Torrey to the Naval Academy and then fortunately got to coach him for three years when I moved to Gordon College," said Potteiger. "He was a key player and a team captain at Gordon during one of the most successful spells the men's soccer program ever had, and then immediately jumped into the coaching realm after graduating. He's had a couple great opportunities to learn at a top Ivy League School in Brown University and then a with the top Academy in New England – the New England Revolution, that have helped him establish his own coaching identity and philosophy. The combination of having played for me and knowing how I want to build a program; and then having other key coaching experiences at these other places makes him the perfect addition to my staff here at Lee."
When asked what he was most excited about Stricklin said, "I feel like the program is headed in the right direction and I think we have all the tools here to be very successful. I love the Christian community that is present here at Lee. It really speaks to why I got into coaching in the first place. I had a great experience at Brown and with the New England Revolution but I'm thrilled to be able to join up with Derek and partner with his vision for the program at such a special place like Lee."
The Flames finished their first year under coach Potteiger at 6-6-4 overall and were 4-5-2 in the Gulf South Conference.
Potteiger was quick to note that Stricklin is already making an impact, "He has hit the ground running and done a great job thus far, but there is still a lot for us to get done as we finish up our spring season. I am looking forward to having Torrey, and his wife Shelby, here with us in the coming years."
Stricklin and his wife Shelby, who also played soccer at Gordon, will be moving to Cleveland and have been married for a year and a half.