Codi Crippen
Lee University men’s soccer Head Coach Derek Potteiger will be joined on the sidelines for the 2026 season by veteran assistant Codi Crippen. The new member of the staff comes to Lee from Tennessee Wesleyan University where he was head coach for two seasons (2024-25) and served as an assistant coach from 2019-23.
“I am thrilled to have Codi joining the Lee Men’s Soccer program. Codi is well known and respected in the entire region and has proven at a number of programs to be a top college coach,” said Coach Potteiger.
“I know that he will come in immediately and help our program on multiple levels, doing his part in helping us achieve the goals we have year in and year out as a team.”
“I am grateful that Codi and his wife, Lila, were confident in me and the athletic department here at Lee to make this change and want to be a part of what we are doing here. This is just another reason I cannot wait to get started in August!”
Before joining the TWU staff, Crippen spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Thomas University, ending his time with the program as the interim head coach. During his three seasons with Thomas, he helped lead the team to The Sun Conference Men's Soccer Tournament each season, including winning the 2018 The Sun Conference Regular-Season Championship along with a runner-up finish in the conference tournament that same season.
Crippen made a coaching stop at NCAA Division III school Huntingdon College from 2014-2017, where he served as an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach. While at Huntingdon, Crippen had a goalkeeper named USA South Player of the Week four times. Crippen previously coached in the state of Tennessee, serving as a graduate assistant for the women's soccer program at Bethel University from 2012-14.
The Zanesville, Ohio native played at the University of Rio Grande where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Studies in 2011 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 2012. While playing for Rio Grande, Crippen helped the team advance to the NAIA National Tournament all four years. Rio Grande finished in the Round of 16 twice, national runner-up in 2008 and in the semifinals in 2009. The team compiled a 69-13-8 overall record. Crippen remained at Rio Grande serving as a volunteer assistant (2010-12).
The new Lee assistant holds a United States Soccer Federation National C and D Licenses along with a Premier Diploma, Advanced National Diploma, and Goalkeeping Level one and two from the United Soccer Coaches.
Said Coach Crippen, “Derek's passion for the game and the program was a big part of accepting the role here at Lee. We had some great chats about the game and what he has been working on doing while with the program. It resonated with me in matching my desires as well. It would have been a crazy move to say no.
“Coach Potteiger and the Flames have been a solid presence in the GSC since he became the head coach at Lee, and it was something that attracted me. I know many coaches in the GSC and how difficult the conference can be. Lee men's soccer has shown it is a consistent and proven competitor and prepares its players for what is next in life, which aligns with my beliefs as well. The facilities, the education, and the coaches, are all things that keep Lee as one of the leading universities in the area and I'm hoping I can help keep them this way.”