Derek Faulkner was named the Corban University head women’s soccer coach in July of 2019.
A gifted athlete during his own collegiate career, Faulkner competed at NCAA Division II California State University, Los Angeles following a pair of conference championships during his time at Santa Rosa Junior College.
While attending Cal State LA, he served as a centerpiece of the Golden Eagles’ nationally-acclaimed soccer program, while also participating as a member of the school’s basketball team.
On the pitch, the Golden Eagles held the No. 1 ranking in the nation during Faulkner’s junior year, climbing as high as No. 5 in his senior campaign. During that final season, Faulkner helped spearhead the program toward its first-ever California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and West-Region Championships, netting the game-winning goal of the 2011 CCAA Tournament Championship—part of a performance that landed him on the conference All-Tournament team.
Faulkner would go on to begin his coaching career at his alma mater, helping Cal State LA to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015. The program enjoyed historic seasons during his time in leadership, with Faulkner mentoring 11 All-Conference selections, four All-Region All-Americans, one Academic All-American, and two subsequent professionals.
Transitioning to the NCAA Division I level, Faulkner took on an assistant coaching role at Oregon State University in 2016, aiding in all facets of the program. As a member of the Beaver coaching staff, he helped develop five All-Pac-12 honorees and a pair of All-Region award-winners. Additionally, he saw five former players sign professional contracts following their time in Corvallis.
Faulkner then spent a year coaching at Indian Hills Community College, during which he was a part of the 2017 Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year. Under his guidance, the squad reached the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Elite Eight, finishing the season ranked sixth in the national rankings.
Faulkner then joined the Warrior women’s soccer staff for the fall of 2018, playing a key role in the team’s development through recruiting and practice coordination.
In his first season at the helm, he navigated the Navy and Gold to the CCC Tournament, during which the Warriors upset top-seeded Oregon Tech.
Faulkner has his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Cal State LA, and his master’s in sports management from California Baptist University.
He and his wife Katie currently reside in Corvallis, Ore.
