University of Minnesota Athletics
Soccer
Ellis Riley
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- riley824@umn.edu
2026 marks Riley's third season at Minnesota after being hired on as assistant coach in January of 2024.
Riley helped take the Gopher soccer program to new heights in his first season, finishing with a 14-5-3 record and a final national ranking of No. 17. The Gophers posted an undefeated regular-season home record (7-0-2) for the first time since 2008 and earned three top-25 wins, including victories over No. 8 Ohio State (3-2), No. 11 Iowa (2-1), and No. 14 South Carolina (2-1). Minnesota also drew 2-2 against No. 24 Southern California, handing the Trojans their only non-win of the regular and conference seasons.
After finishing the regular season with a No. 22 RPI ranking, Minnesota hosted the first round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating South Dakota State 2-0. The team advanced to the Chapel Hill Regional, where they defeated South Carolina to reach the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual College Cup champion North Carolina.
In year two (2025), Minnesota welcomed nine freshmen and four transfers ahead of the season. The squad finished with a 6-8-3 overall record, including a 2-6-3 mark in conference play.
During his time at San Diego, Riley brought in and developed the Toreros All-WCC Freshman Team honoree in Cameryn Maddox and single season save holder Sophine Kevorkian in 2022. Â
Prior to San Diego, Riley spent a year at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. where he helped the Terriers during their inaugural NCAA Division I season.
Before his time at St. Francis, Ellis served as the interim head coach and graduate assistant at Hastings College, where he helped lead the team to a 32-4-7 record over two seasons, winning multiple conference championships and earning two NAIA Tournament berths. Riley was part of the 2018 NAIA Midwest Region Staff of the Year and helped develop two All-Americans in 2018.
Riley is also the founder of SoccerIQ - Ahead of the Game, a player and coach educational program which helps accelerate cognitive learning of tactical and technical elements of the game. He also brings professional soccer experience, having worked as a volunteer opposition analyst for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL.
He achieved the United States Soccer Federation B License in January of 2020 and is currently in training for his A License. Ellis has been certified through FA, USSF, and United Soccer Coaches. Riley was awarded the United Soccer Coaches Anson Dorrance Foundation Scholarship in 2019.
A native of Leeds, England, Riley began his soccer journey at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education with an emphasis in coaching while playing soccer for the Jimmies. Riley later earned his master's in physical education from Hastings College.
Riley helped take the Gopher soccer program to new heights in his first season, finishing with a 14-5-3 record and a final national ranking of No. 17. The Gophers posted an undefeated regular-season home record (7-0-2) for the first time since 2008 and earned three top-25 wins, including victories over No. 8 Ohio State (3-2), No. 11 Iowa (2-1), and No. 14 South Carolina (2-1). Minnesota also drew 2-2 against No. 24 Southern California, handing the Trojans their only non-win of the regular and conference seasons.
After finishing the regular season with a No. 22 RPI ranking, Minnesota hosted the first round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating South Dakota State 2-0. The team advanced to the Chapel Hill Regional, where they defeated South Carolina to reach the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual College Cup champion North Carolina.
In year two (2025), Minnesota welcomed nine freshmen and four transfers ahead of the season. The squad finished with a 6-8-3 overall record, including a 2-6-3 mark in conference play.
During his time at San Diego, Riley brought in and developed the Toreros All-WCC Freshman Team honoree in Cameryn Maddox and single season save holder Sophine Kevorkian in 2022. Â
Prior to San Diego, Riley spent a year at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. where he helped the Terriers during their inaugural NCAA Division I season.
Before his time at St. Francis, Ellis served as the interim head coach and graduate assistant at Hastings College, where he helped lead the team to a 32-4-7 record over two seasons, winning multiple conference championships and earning two NAIA Tournament berths. Riley was part of the 2018 NAIA Midwest Region Staff of the Year and helped develop two All-Americans in 2018.
Riley is also the founder of SoccerIQ - Ahead of the Game, a player and coach educational program which helps accelerate cognitive learning of tactical and technical elements of the game. He also brings professional soccer experience, having worked as a volunteer opposition analyst for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL.
He achieved the United States Soccer Federation B License in January of 2020 and is currently in training for his A License. Ellis has been certified through FA, USSF, and United Soccer Coaches. Riley was awarded the United Soccer Coaches Anson Dorrance Foundation Scholarship in 2019.
A native of Leeds, England, Riley began his soccer journey at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education with an emphasis in coaching while playing soccer for the Jimmies. Riley later earned his master's in physical education from Hastings College.
2025 Season Highlights
Thursday, October 30
Play in Focus: Sarah Martin
Tuesday, October 21
Highlights: Gophers 0, Oregon 0
Sunday, October 19
Highlights: Gophers 2, Washington 3
Friday, October 17
