Tim Strader was named the Sacramento State head women's soccer coach on March 3, 2026, becoming the fifth head coach in the history of the program.
"I am thrilled to welcome Tim as our head coach for Sacramento State women’s soccer,” Athletics Director Mark Orr said. “Throughout the national search process, Tim demonstrated a commitment to building a strong team culture and a clear vision to building competitive success on the field, in the classroom, and within the Sacramento community. He brings a wealth of championship experience through his many years leading student-athletes at the collegiate level.
“I would like to thank the tireless efforts of the staff that partnered with me in the search process including, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator Pamm Zierfuss-Hubbard, Senior Associate Athletics Director Tina Tubbs, head men’s soccer coach Michael Linenberger, and women’s soccer alumna Caitlin Prothe. The future is very bright with Tim Strader leading our program as we enter the Big West Conference in 2026."
Added Strader, “First and foremost, I would like to thank President Dr. Luke Wood, Athletic Director Mark Orr, and the entire search committee for their belief in me and in my vision for the future of this women’s soccer program. Being named the head women’s soccer coach at Sacramento State is truly a dream come true. We are committed to building a program that Sacramento State, our alumni, and our local community will be proud to support. Our foundation will be built on academic and athletic excellence, equipping our student-athletes for success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community — developing Hornets for life.”
Strader joins the Hornet program after spending the 2025 campaign as an assistant coach, and later, the interim head coach at Texas A&M following the retirement of 33-year sideline veteran G Guerrieri — the only head coach in the Aggies’ history.
Focusing his efforts on the defensive half of the field for Texas A&M against a schedule that featured five top-25 opponents, he helped recruit an incoming class for the Aggies that ranked among the top-15 in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Prior to his stint in College Station, Strader was an assistant coach at future Big West Conference rival California Baptist for five seasons (2018-22) before being elevated to the position of associate head coach for his final two years (2023-24). He helped usher the program into its Division I era while helping the Lancers to the 2024 Western Athletic Conference Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth as well as being a part of the 2023 WAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
During his time at CBU, the Lancers finished 70-36-22 (.633) and averaged 10 wins per season, which included an 15-match unbeaten streak in 2023. That year, California Baptist ranked No. 25 in the NCAA in goal differential (plus-26), was No. 26 in the nation in winning percentage (11-2-6, .737), and stood No. 30 in the nation with a 0.68 goals against average.
He helped the Lancers lead the WAC in shutouts for three consecutive seasons, while mentoring eight all-region honorees, 29 all-conference selections, and five student-athletes that went on to professional soccer careers. Off the field, he oversaw the team’s academic progress that resulted in a combined 3.65 grade point average over six years and had 69 players named to the WAC All-Academic Team.
Prior to a one-year stint as the Director of Coaching with Slammers FC in Orange County, Strader spent four seasons as the head women’s soccer coach at Indiana Wesleyan in Marion, Ind., where he helped the Wildcats to a National Christian College Athletic Association national runner-up finish in 2017 and four Crossroads League Tournament berths from 2014-17.
He elevated the program from four wins in his first season to a 15-4-3 overall record in his last, earning votes in the NAIA Top 25 for three straight years. Strader mentored three NCCAA All-Americans, two NAIA All-Americans, 14 all-conference players, and one conference defensive player of the year. In the classroom, his teams earned the NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team award all four years and led the NAIA for most Academic All-Americans in 2014.
Strader’s coaching career began in Southern California at CSUN, helping the program claim its first Big West Conference tournament title and advance to its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2012. That season, the Matadors posted wins over the likes of Arizona State and Michigan along with draws against No. 21 Portland, No. 22 Tennessee, and USC.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to lead a program that will compete for Big West championships and pursue national success,” Strader said. “I am incredibly grateful for the experience and knowledge I gained working in the SEC at Texas A&M, as well as at CBU, Indiana Wesleyan, and CSUN, all of which have prepared me for this opportunity.”
He gained coaching experience as an ECNL coach with Indiana Fire and Strikers FC, leading his team to the North America Cup semifinals and a top-three finish in the Southwest Conference.
Holding a Premier Coaching Diploma from United Soccer Coaches and a National “C” License from the United States Soccer Federation, Strader earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation and sports management from Indiana State in 2007 and completed his master’s degree in recreation, sport and tourism management from the University of Illinois in 2011.
Strader and his wife, Beth, have two daughters, Kennedy and McKinley.
“I also want to thank my family — especially my wife — for her unwavering support and belief in this dream,” Strader said. “Our mission is to invest in the lives of student-athletes through the game of soccer, building champions not only on the field, but in life.
“Finally, I would like to thank Kristen St. Clair, G Guerrieri, Mark DeMichael, and the many former colleagues and mentors who have shaped me into the coach I am today. I am excited to hit the ground running and start building relationships. Stingers Up!”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT COACH TIM STRADER
“Sacramento State has hired an incredible person and coach. Tim’s strengths lie in his leadership, recruiting, player development, tactical acumen, and student athlete development. He has proven to be an exceptional recruiter with a keen eye for talent while concurrently cultivating a competitive culture. His ability to develop culture and well-rounded student-athletes is impressive. I have no doubt the Sacramento State program will thrive under his leadership in the Big West. Tim and his family will be a great addition to the Sacramento community.”
~ California Baptist Head Coach Kristen St. Clair
"Mark Orr has made an outstanding decision in bringing Tim Strader to Sacramento State. As my assistant coach at Texas A&M, Tim consistently demonstrated exceptional ability as a strategic evaluator, motivator, recruiter, educator, and leader. I was continually impressed by Tim’s dedication to his players’ growth and success and his commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-achieving team environment was evident every day.
“Tim’s passion for empowering student-athletes and his deep investment in both the university and the surrounding community will make a significant impact on the Hornets’ program. This is an exciting new chapter for Sacramento State and for Tim, and I am confident the program will thrive under his leadership. I look forward to seeing the positive contributions Tim will bring to the university and its student-athletes."
~ G Guerrieri, CEO Intercollegiate Women’s Soccer Coaches Association & former Texas A&M head women’s soccer coach
“After working with him for a year, I could already tell he would be an amazing head coach. He brought a culture to the team that was rooted in grit and resilience. He actually helped me find Sacramento State when I decided to transfer by helping me with film and contacting programs I was interested in. He made it a priority, which just goes to show how he invests in each individual player. His energy and determination is contagious and I know he has a vision for building a program that is defined by accountability, unity, and a winning standard. I couldn’t be more excited to watch him inspire and elevate this team as they are joining the Big West Conference!”
~ Sacramento State women’s soccer alumna Isabella Vinsonhaler
“Tim was a true mentor who was honest and critical when necessary. He pushed me to grow and believe in myself, while always being supportive and invested in me as a person. He cared just as much about who I was becoming off the field as he did about my performance on the field. Because of him, I didn’t just become a better soccer player, but I became a person who believes in herself and knows that she can conquer anything life puts in front of her.”
~ Jana Heinen, California Baptist women’s soccer alumna now playing professionally for VfL Bochum in Germany’s 2.Bundesliga
“Playing for Tim took my game to a higher level, and that growth prepared me to compete at the professional level. What makes him special, though, is that it was never just about soccer. He poured into me not only as a player, but as a woman and as a person. Even more than two years after I graduated, he still checks in on me and that speaks volumes about the kind of coach and mentor he truly is.”
~ Lourdes Bosch, California Baptist women’s soccer alumna now playing professionally for the NWSL’s Denver Summit FC
