San Diego Athletics

Ellis Riley completed his fourth season with the Toreros as an assistant coach after he joined the program in March 2020.
 
In his role at San Diego, Riley focuses on scouting, recruiting and video analysis as well as coach in all facets of the team. Riley has seen several early successes in his recruiting endeavors, including bringing in All-WCC Freshman Team honoree Cameryn Maddox and the new Toreros single season save record holder Sophine Kevorkian in 2022. 

Riley came to San Diego after spending a year with St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. where he helped the Terriers during their inaugural season at NCAA Division I.
 
Prior to St. Francis College, Riley served as the interim head coach and graduate assistant at Hastings College where he helped lead the team to a 32-4-7 record over two seasons, winning multiple conference championships and earning two NAIA Tournament berths. Riley was a part of the 2018 NAIA Midwest Region Staff of the Year and helped develop a pair of All-Americans in 2018.
 
Riley is also the founder of SoccerIQ - Ahead of the Game, a player and coach educational platform which helps accelerate cognitive learning of tactical and technical elements of the game. He also brings professional soccer experience to the San Diego staff having worked as a volunteer opposition analyst for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL.
 
He achieved the United States Soccer Federation B License in January 2020 and has been extensively certified through FA, USSF and United Soccer Coaches. Riley was also awarded the United Soccer Coaches Anson Dorrance Foundation Scholarship in 2019.
 
A native of Leeds, England, Riley began his soccer journey at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in coaching while playing soccer for the Jimmies. Riley later earned his master’s in physical education from Hastings College.
 
Riley is married to his wife, Tia.