Valdosta Athletics

Ryne Strickland begins his first season at Valdosta State as assistant offensive line coach.  Prior to Valdosta State, Strickland spent five successful seasons in the high school ranks in Georgia and Alabama.  For the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Strickland coached the offensive line at Central-Phenix City in Phenix City, Alabama, posting a record of 21-6 over two seasons.  While there, he had three offensive linemen sign to play football at the next level.  Strickland helped guide his team to a 6A state runner-up finish in 2021 and a region 2-6A title as the team averaged 236 rushing yards per game and allowed just five sacks. In 2020, the team finished in the 6A state semifinals, averaging 237 yards on the ground per game.

Strickland spent the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons in various roles at Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia, helping lead the Trojans to a 40-3 record over during that span, including back to back 6A State Championships in 2017 and 2018, and three-straight region 1-6A championships. In three seasons at Lee County, he helped develop five offensive linemen to sign NCAA Division I football scholarships.

In 2019, Strickland was responsible for coaching TE’s/H-Backs, leading to both players being named to the 1-6A all-region team on the way to the 6A state quarterfinals as the team averaged 143 rushing yards per game.  In 2018, he served as offensive line coach/run game coordinator on the way to a perfect 15-0 season, the 6A State Championship, and all five starting offensive linemen earning region 1-6A all-region honors.  The 2017 season saw him serve as assistant offensive line coach, primarily working with the tackles/tight ends during a 14-1 campaign.  The team won  the 6A State Championship (first in school history), while averaging 123 yards on the ground per game.

Strickland graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Georgia Southwestern State University in 2017, and obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from Valdosta State in 2020.

He is married to Dr. Shelby Hooks.