Sacramento State hires Tim Strader from Texas A&M as new head coach

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State Director of Athletics Mark Orr announced that Tim Strader has been hired as the Hornets’ next head women’s soccer coach. Strader becomes 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,” 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!”