Dec. 20, 2007

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Ryan Jorden had been named the head coach of California Baptist University men's soccer, Athletic Director Kevin Steele announced today.

Jorden becomes just the fourth head coach since CBU restarted men's soccer in 1985, and he replaces Shayon Jalayer, who resigned in October after six seasons at the helm. This is Jorden's first collegiate head coaching position.

"I am pleased that Ryan has accepted the position," said Steele, who has now hired six new head coaches in less than three full years. "Ryan raised his stock immeasurably among an incredibly talented pool of applicants.  His vast experience as a DI assistant and in the GSAC coupled with his enthusiasm and intelligence make him an excellent addition to our talented staff.  We anticipate him taking this program to new levels of success in the very near future."

Since 2000, Jorden has served as the lead assistant coach for Dave Wolf at GSAC-rival Westmont. During his time Santa Barbara, the Warriors were 82-39-11 and were consistently ranked in the NAIA Top 25. In 2000, the Warriors were ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, regional champions and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament, finishing 19-5 overall. The Warriors were back-to-back GSAC co-champions in 2001 and 2002.

Jorden inherits a team that finished 6-10-1 in 2007, winning just two conference games. The Lancers have not made the playoffs since sharing the GSAC title in 1989.

With a penchant for player development, Jorden has worked and coached in all aspects of the soccer program, including fitness programming, scheduling and recruiting coordination. A graduate of Westmont, Jorden played for the Warriors from 1991-1994 and during that time was part of 65 wins and two national tournament appearances.

Jorden earned his bachelor's in kinesiology from Westmont in 1995 and then became the assistant coach with the men's soccer program at NCAA Division I Oregon State in 1996. During his four years at OSU, he completed his master's degree in exercise science.

After returning to coach at Westmont for three years, he took a leave of absence in 2003 to pursue his Ph.D. in sport and exercise science with an emphasis in biomechanics at Northern Colorado and is currently ABD, expecting to defend in early 2008. During that 2003 season, he worked as an assistant coach with the UNC soccer program. Returning to Westmont in the fall of 2004, Jorden resumed his responsibilities in serving as a full-time member of the kinesiology faculty, teaching courses in biomechanics, research methods, motor control and a variety of physical activity courses.

A United States Soccer Federation (USSF) `A' licensed coach with Olympic Development Program (ODP) experience in multiple states, Jorden just finished his 12^th season of collegiate coaching. A native of Santa Barbara, Jorden and his wife Liz are proud parents of two sons, Graeme (four) and Evan (two).

Jorden will assume his new position Jan. 2.