Ryan Jorden began his tenure as head coach of the UCLA Bruins men’s soccer program in 2019, after being named the 11th head coach in program history on April 29, 2019. In his first seven seasons (through 2025), he has leveraged his prior collegiate head-coaching experience—spanning 16 seasons and 150-plus wins—to steer the Bruins through a period of sustained competitiveness. Under his leadership, UCLA achieved double-digit win seasons in multiple years, qualified for the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons, and navigated the transition into the Big Ten Conference in 2024 while facing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Bruins’ comeback win over Ohio State and dominant showing against Maryland in the conference tournament reflect his ability to prepare a team for high-pressure games.
Before arriving at UCLA, Jorden rebuilt programs at the University of the Pacific and Cal Baptist, turning underperforming squads into postseason contenders. At Pacific, he led the Tigers to back-to-back 12+ win seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances, demonstrating a track record of program transformation and player development—13 professional-ranked players emerged under his tenure at UCLA. His academic credentials bolster his analytical approach: Jorden holds a Ph.D. in sport and exercise science (emphasis biomechanics) from Northern Colorado, a master’s degree from Oregon State, and a bachelor’s degree from Westmont College, where he also competed on the men’s soccer team. Known for his tactical acumen, emphasis on defensive structure, and focus on player growth, Jorden continues to guide UCLA’s program upward in one of college soccer’s most competitive conferences.
