Tom Lancaster, who was a top assistant coach on the Irvine Valley men's soccer team for five seasons, was tabbed as the new head coach at Westcliff University in Irvine earlier this year.
Westcliff recently received NAIA status and will compete in the California Pacific Conference. Lancaster has been busy building his roster for the Warriors over the last few months with several commitments and signings.
Lancaster was a big contributor in helping guide Irvine Valley from the 2015 through 2019 seasons. IVC made the CCCAA So. Cal. Regional Playoffs every season, made regional finals twice and won an Orange Empire Conference title.
During his five years with the program, IVC had a record of 60-31-23.
Lancaster also spent the high school winter season of 2019 as the head coach of the local Woodbridge High boys soccer team and led the Warriors to a Pacific Coast League title.
He has other ties to Irvine in having helped run the Irvine Soccer Academy as the director of coaching for more than eight years, was the director of coaching for AYSO United, and was head coach of the Northwood High boys team for four seasons.
Lancaster was born in Lichfield, England and played Football for Lichfield City in the West Mids Combination League.
He moved to the United States in 2009 and started coaching Youth Club Soccer and working with CalSouth on the Olympic Development Program YOP and the Pro + program.