Coalinga College is pleased to announce the appointment of Justin Strickland as the
new Rodeo Coach for the college's rodeo team. With an impressive background in rodeo,
horse training, and coaching, Justin brings experience and knowledge to lead the team
to great success.
Justin's journey with horses began at a young age, and over the years, he honed his
riding and roping skills through dedication and hard work. Starting riding lessons
in Kindergarten, he quickly developed a passion for rodeo, participating in various
events during elementary and high school, excelling in team roping, calf roping, and
cutting. Justin's achievements included multiple qualifications for CHSRA State Finals
and Challenge of Champions throughout high school, earning him the District 4 all-around
cowboy title in his senior year.
Continuing his journey in college, Justin joined Coalinga College's rodeo team, competing
in team roping and calf roping while consistently ranking in the top ten at the regional
level. His exemplary performance earned valuable points for the West Hills Men's points
team, establishing himself as a standout rodeo athlete.
Justin's expertise extends beyond riding and competing, as he has spent more than
a decade training horses in various disciplines, such as colt starting, reined cow
horse, cutting, and breakaway roping. He has also coached private clients, university
equine teams, and student-athletes, imparting his knowledge and passion for horsemanship.
During the 21-22 season, Justin volunteered his time to the Coalinga College rodeo
team, later being appointed as the assistant coach. Demonstrating exceptional coaching
abilities, he assumed the role of interim head coach during the 22-23 season and achieved
remarkable success.
Under his guidance, seven students qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo,
with one student bringing home a national title.
"Justin Strickland's impressive track record in rodeo and horse training, combined
with his coaching expertise, makes him an invaluable asset to our rodeo program,"
said Joe Hash, Coalinga College Associate Dean of Athletics. "We are excited to have
him take the reins as our Rodeo Coach, and I am confident that under his guidance,
our student-athletes will achieve new heights of success both in the arena and in
personal growth."
Justin's commitment to rodeo and coaching is evident in his extensive involvement
with various rodeo associations, including the American Cowboy Team Roping Association
(ACTRA), World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA), United States Team Roping Champions
(USTRC), California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CCPRA), and the World
Series of Team Roping (WSTR).
"We are thrilled to welcome Justin Strickland as our new Rodeo Coach. His remarkable
experience in rodeo, passion for horsemanship, and dedication to coaching makes him
an excellent addition to our athletics program," said Coalinga College President Carla
Tweed. "With Justin's leadership, we look forward to seeing our rodeo team thrive
and continue to represent our college with pride."