Coaches
2026 Season
Jon Fox
Varsity Head Coach
Coach Jon Fox has been a cornerstone of the Southern California lacrosse community for over three decades. His journey began at UC Irvine in 1991, where he served as team captain, a two-time league All-Star, and MVP of the 1994 WCLL College Championship.
Since transitioning to coaching in 1996, Jon has built a legacy of excellence across all levels of the sport. His leadership has produced multiple Middle School and Youth Championship titles, alongside a staggering ten High School CIF and State Club Championships. His accolades include being named the OC US Lacrosse Coach of the Year (2007) and a three-time OC Register Coach of the Year (2008, 2014, 2017).
A true pioneer, Jon has been coaching in Tustin since 1997. He was instrumental in establishing the first boys and girls programs at several local institutions, including Hewes, Currie, and Pioneer Middle Schools, as well as Tustin, Beckman, Crean, and Orange Lutheran High Schools. Beyond local play, Jon has led elite squads like the OCLA U-15 select team and the 2018 Under Armour West National Championship team.
Jon is a charter member of the Positive Coaching Alliance and a board member of OCLAX. He is currently furthering his expertise by pursuing a Master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration. Jon resides in North Tustin with his wife, Kristy, and their three children: Joshua, Madeline, and Luke. In his spare time, he remains deeply committed to his community, supporting Young Life and Wyldlife youth groups, Lacrosse the Nations, and various local lacrosse initiatives.
Clay Eggeman
Varsity Assistant Coach
A standout local product from Capistrano Valley High School, Coach Clay brings an elite competitive background and a fresh perspective to the Foothill program. A versatile two-sport athlete in football and lacrosse, he was a two-year captain and two-time All-South Coast League selection, capped by being named an All-American kicker during his senior year.
Clay continued his athletic career at Arizona State University, where he was a three-year starter for the lacrosse program. Beyond his performance on the field, he served as a key leader within the athletic department as Vice President of the Players' Board. After graduating early in just three years with a degree in Communications, he returned to Southern California to dedicate himself to coaching.
With over five years of experience, Clay has coached at both the local level with OC Crush and SoCal Express, and the national level with Ryan Boyle and Trilogy ICE. His ability to translate complex tactics for any age group, combined with his deep understanding of the modern, evolving game, makes him an invaluable asset in preparing our players for the next level of their careers.
Daniel Kirkpatrick
Varsity Assistant Coach
Coach Daniel brings nearly two decades of experience as a player and coach at the high school and collegiate levels. A 2005 Foothill High School alumnus, he was a three-sport varsity athlete in football, baseball, and lacrosse. He continued his lacrosse career at Chapman University, earning his degree in 2009.
Following graduation, he served as an assistant coach for the Chapman Men’s program before being named Head Coach of Chapman Women’s Lacrosse in 2014. He led the women’s program for nearly a decade through 2023, while simultaneously supporting Orange County youth and high school clinics. In recognition of his achievements on the field, Daniel is an inductee of the Chapman University Men’s Lacrosse Hall of Fame. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis, cricket, and badminton.
Matt Simpson
JV Head Coach
Originally from Littleton, Colorado, Coach Matt’s lacrosse journey began at Arapahoe High School, where he earned All-State honors as a junior. He concluded his high school career at Cy-Fair High School in Houston, Texas, once again receiving All-State recognition. Following his high school success, Matt honorably served four years in the United States Navy before earning his degree from CSU Fresno.
After relocating to Houston, Matt returned to the sport as a player in local men's leagues and as the Assistant Varsity Coach at Seven Lakes High School. Upon moving back to California, he became a fixture in the Southern California lacrosse community. Matt served as the Head Coach at El Dorado High School from 2014 to 2018 and has been a dedicated coach for both the boys and girls programs at OC Crush since 2018. Matt joins the Foothill staff as the JV Head Coach, where he continues to leverage his extensive experience and military leadership to develop the next generation of players.
Alex "AJ" Strapp
JV Assistant Coach
A lifelong athlete and community leader, Coach Alex “AJ” Strapp brings nearly three decades of coaching expertise to the program. A standout alumnus of Villa Park High School, AJ was a First Team All-League quarterback and a key contributor on the baseball field at second base. Following his high school career, he continued his education and athletics at SCC and Mt. San Jacinto colleges.
AJ’s deep-rooted connection to lacrosse began under the mentorship of his father, Jack Strapp, an All-American goalie at The Ohio State University. Over the past eight years, AJ has further refined his coaching philosophy under the guidance of Coach Fox and Coach Clay, contributing to the success of elite programs including the Tustin Tigers, OC Crush, SoCal Express, and Foothill High School. With 27 years of experience coaching lacrosse, football, baseball, and basketball, AJ has become a pillar of Tustin youth and high school sports. Professionally, he serves as the Manager of Engineering and Sales at APM Manufacturing.
Brayden Webb
JV Assistant Coach
A 2019 Foothill High School alumnus, Coach Brayden Webb returns to the Knights' sideline bringing elite collegiate experience and a deep connection to the program. Following his standout high school career, Brayden attended Purdue University, where he emerged as a premier force in the conference. His collegiate accolades include earning All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2022 and 1st Team All-Conference honors in 2023.
Since returning to Orange County in 2024, Brayden has balanced a successful professional career in sales at Allegion with his commitment to coaching. With a background coaching for the Tustin Tigers, he specializes in technical goalie training and is dedicated to helping young athletes develop both their skills and a lifelong passion for the game. Outside of lacrosse, Brayden is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys golfing, hiking, and staying active in the gym.
Leander Rikkers
JV Assistant Coach
A San Diego native and versatile dual-sport athlete, Coach Leander brings an elite competitive pedigree and leadership experience to the program. His athletic foundation began at Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, where he excelled in both lacrosse and water polo, eventually serving as team captain and earning MVP honors during his senior season.
Leander continued his career at Chapman University as a rare two-sport collegiate athlete. During his tenure, he helped lead the Panthers to two conference championships and was named team captain and an All-Conference selection in his senior year. Since graduating in 2024, he has dedicated himself to youth coaching, focusing on helping young athletes develop their technical skills and a deep passion for the game. Professionally, Leander works in wealth management. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, exploring the local culinary scene, and spending time with family and friends.
Ryan Berger
JV Assistant Coach
Originally from the lacrosse hotbed of Philadelphia, Coach Ryan Berger brings a Hall of Fame resume to the sidelines. A standout at Conestoga High School, Ryan was a four-year letterman at Attack, leading his team in goals, assists, and points for three consecutive seasons while earning back-to-back Team MVP and All-State honors.
Ryan’s collegiate career at Denison University was equally decorated. A three-time All-American and four-time All-Conference selection, he led the Big Red to two NCAA Final Four appearances. In recognition of his enduring impact on the sport, he was named to the 20th Anniversary All-Conference Team and was inducted into the Denison University Hall of Fame.
After relocating to California, Ryan served as the Offensive Coordinator for Loyola Marymount University and Chapman University, leading the latter to two National Quarterfinal appearances. Following a hiatus to focus on his family, he returned to the sidelines six years ago, guiding Tustin Tigers and OC Crush teams to multiple OCLA Championships. Professionally, Ryan has spent over two decades in healthcare administration, overseeing care for the elderly and developmentally disabled. He resides in Tustin with his wife, Gina, and their four children.
Morgan "Mo Gains" Fennell
Strength & Conditioning
A native of Long Beach, California, Coach Mo brings an elite competitive pedigree and a deep academic foundation to the training floor. A standout athlete at Long Beach Poly High School, he led the football program to back-to-back CIF Championships and State Runner-Up finishes. To this day, he remains the "winningest" quarterback in the school’s storied history.
Coach Mo earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from Delta State University, providing him with the physiological expertise to maximize athletic performance. For the past six years, he has dedicated his career to developing professional, elite, and rising youth athletes across all sports. Whether he is training a veteran NFL player or a young athlete just beginning their journey, Coach Mo applies the same relentless passion. His mission is to elevate every athlete's game while empowering them to become the best version of themselves.