Erin Lycan Ridley serves as the Head Coach of the San Jose Earthquakes Academy U15s. A USSF A licensed coach, she is also a Youth National Team scout for US Soccer. She lives in Saratoga with her husband, Tim Ridley, a nurse and former collegiate strength and conditioning coach.

Contact Erin Ridley at eridley@sjearthquakes.com

Coaching history

Ridley’s 15-year coaching career has overseen the development of numerous college standouts, youth national team players, and professional players under her tutelage. Leaving a mark of success at each program as a Division I college assistant coach, Ridley’s teams have captured three different NCAA conference championships as well as an NCAA Tournament College Cup appearance. Beyond her 11 seasons of college soccer, she has also worked with nationally ranked club and nationally ranked high school programs, state and region Olympic Development Programs, and with the US Soccer’s U17 Women’s National Team staff. She also spent two seasons serving as head coach of the semi-pro WPSL Chattanooga FC Women, (earning Southeastern Coach of the Year honors in 2018). Most recently, Ridley came to the Bay Area to lead the U19s and U17s of the San Jose Earthquakes Girls Development Academy, where the staff was named the 2018-19 US Soccer DA West Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. Ridley also represented the Quakes Academy at the 2019 NorCal Soccer Symposium as an on-field presenter.

Background and Playing History

Ridley grew up as a multi-sport athlete in Chattanooga, Tennessee. An All-State goalkeeper, she was recruited by top NCAA Division I schools, including the University of Virginia, Stanford, Rice, and Rutgers. She opted to play for the University of Virginia Cavaliers, and in 2001, was part of the number one recruiting class in the country. She led UVA to an ACC championship in 2004 as a co-captain. She also played for two semi-pro W-League teams (Memphis Mercury, Hampton Roads Piranhas). She was medically disqualified and retired from playing in the spring of 2005 of her senior year of college due to multiple concussions.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Art in Anthropology, University of Virginia (2005)

Licenses, Certificates, and Diplomas:

  • USSF A License (2020)
  • MLS ORTEC Certificate of Video and Data Analyst (2020)
  • USSF B (2011)
  • United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma (2010)
  • United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma (2009)

Coaching Timeline:

Club Soccer

  • San Jose Earthquakes Boys Academy, Head Coach (2020 – Present)
  • San Jose Earthquakes Girls Development Academy, Head Coach, GK Director (2018 – 2020)
  • Chattanooga FC Academy, Head Coach, GK director (2017-2018)
  • New River United Soccer Association, Head Coach, GK Director (2012 – 2015)
  • Charlotte Independence Soccer Club, GK Director (2009 –2011)

High School Soccer

  • The Baylor School Boys Varsity, Assistant Coach (2017 –2018)
  • The Baylor School Girls Varsity, Assistant Coach (2017)

US Olympic Development Program – Girls

  • Region I ODP Senior Staff, GK staff (2005 –2017)
  • North Carolina ODP GK staff (2008 – 2011)
  • Tennessee ODP GK staff (2005 – 2006)

NCAA Division I Women’s College Soccer

  • George Washington University, Assistant Coach (2015-2017)
  • Virginia Tech, Assistant Coach (2011 – 2015)
  • Davidson College, Assistant Coach (2008 – 2011)
  • Stephen F. Austin State University, Assistant Coach (2006-2008)

Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL)

  • Chattanooga FC Women, Head Coach (2017-2018)

US Soccer

  • U17 US Women’s National Team Staff (pre-U17 World Cup camps in CA and South Korea - 2018)

US Soccer Youth National Team Scout (2020 – present)