Eric Salley Named Men’s Soccer Head Coach
The Athletics Department of Trinity Christian College has named Eric Salley as the new head coach of the men’s soccer program. Salley comes to Trinity from Spring Arbor University in Michigan where he served as an assistant coach to their men’s program for the past three seasons.
“Our search for a new head men’s soccer coach brought forth several excellent candidates and made the decision of the search committee very difficult,” commented Athletics Director Bill Schepel. “In the end, we feel we have landed an outstanding leader for the program in Eric Salley. His experiences at like-minded institutions as both a player and an assistant coach give him a keen understanding of the culture of Trinity Christian College. In addition, his involvement in all coaching aspects of the top notch program at Spring Arbor has prepared him well to take this next step in his career and to make our men’s soccer program a highly competitive one in the CCAC.”
“I am excited about the people, the mission, and the vision at Trinity,” said Salley. “From the leadership to the students, the vision is being lived out and executed daily. I thank Athletics Director Bill Schepel and the search committee for giving me the chance to lead this team and I am honored to be able to represent Trinity.”
As an assistant coach at Spring Arbor, Salley aided in all facets of their men’s soccer program from game strategy to recruiting as well as managing the team’s fitness and conditioning. In addition, he has coaching experience as an assistant with Lansing United, a National Premier Soccer League team, and as the head coach of a U16 boys’ club team. Salley has also served as a strength and conditioning intern with Sporting Kansas City, an American professional soccer club, where he aided the coaching staff in practice and fitness development.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Salley was a four-year student-athlete and two-year captain on the soccer team at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. He was a part of the 2011 squad that finished with a 19-2-1 record and made their program’s first NAIA national tournament appearance.
Salley received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Taylor in 2012. He has also earned certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has worked as a personal trainer. In addition, he has Premier, Advanced National, and National level diplomas from the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA).
Salley is eager to begin his work at Trinity and to start the process of building relationships with the current team members, recruiting for the future, and implementing his vision. He, along with his wife Amanda and son Daven, will make the transition to Trinity this spring and he will assume his coaching duties.
“My vision for the program is to create an environment where everyone involved in the program, starting with me, gives relentless effort and possesses a competitive attitude,” commented Salley. “If we can build that foundation, I am certain we will experience success.”