Coaches

Ryan Kirkpatrick

Ryan Kirkpatrick was named Head Coach of the Whittier Men’s Lacrosse team for the 2023 season on December 5, 2022. Ryan is no stranger to Whittier College lacrosse. He served on Coach Brian Kelly’s staff from 2011-2012 as a Graduate Assistant and took over the Assistant Coach’s role in 2012. From 2012-2017 “Coach Tree,” as he has come to be known, assisted in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, game day operations, player development and assisted in strength and conditioning of a number of college programs, including lacrosse. He was named Defensive Coordinator in 2015 and was instrumental in leading the Poets to the NCAA Tournament in 2016.


The Downey native graduated in 2011 with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Management. Ryan was a four-year letter winner in both Football and Lacrosse while at Whittier. He played long stick midfield during his freshman and sophomore years before moving to defenseman his junior and senior season. As a football player, he earned All-SCIAC Academic Team recognition in 2008 and twice earned SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week his senior season as a Defensive End.


Coach Kirkpatrick has a M.S. in Kinesiology from CSU Fullerton ’13 and a M.A. in Education from Whittier College ’15. He also holds certification as a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist). Ryan continues to train lacrosse and works in training programs throughout the southland for youths in a variety of sports through private academies and programs.


Ryan currently teaches Physical Education in Paramount, CA. He lives in Whittier, Calif. with his wife Jennifer Kirkpatrick and son Nicolas.