Ryan Joiner begins his fifth season as East Central's head women's soccer coach.

The Lady Warriors had a historic season in the 2021 season as the team climbed to No. 2 in the NJCAA polls, the highest the program has ever been ranked. ECCC finished the season 9-5 overall on the year. 

Joiner led the Lady Warriors to the best finish in program history in the 2020-21 season as his team finished 11-3-2, finished second in the MACCC North Division, and advanced to the MACCC/Region 23 semifinals. 

He led the Lady Warriors to a 9-7-1 record in 2019 and a third-place finish in the MACJC North Division. East Central lost on penalty kicks to Jones College in the MACJC Quarterfinals.

His first Lady Warrior squad in 2018 finished with a 5-11 record.

Prior to joining ECCC, his teams won three Mississippi High School Activities Association state championships in four seasons

Joiner guided the St. Stanislaus College boys’ team to MHSAA Class 4A State Championships in 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16. He was the head girls’ soccer coach at Ocean Springs High School from 2016-18. His 2016-17 team finished state runner-up in Class 6A.

He was a standout goalkeeper for Ocean Springs High School before taking his talents to Meridian Community College.

While at MCC, Joiner twice earned MACJC First Team All-State and National Junior College Athletic Association All-South Region 23 as a goalkeeper. He was an Honorable Mention NJCAA All-American in 2006.

Joiner returned to MCC in 2011 as assistant men’s soccer coach, recruiting coordinator, practice coordinator, and camp instructor.

He took over the St. Stanislaus College boys’ soccer program in 2013, compiling a 57-15-3 record and three straight state championships. He was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Small/Private School Mississippi Coach of the Year following the 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons, as well as the Sun Herald (Biloxi) Coach of the Year all three seasons. He was The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson) Coach of the Year in 2013-14. St. Stanislaus is a Catholic day and boarding school for boys in Bay St. Louis.

Joiner returned to his alma mater Ocean Springs High School in 2016, where he guided the girls’ program to a 2016-17 state runner-up finish.

He also coached for the Gulf Coast United Futbol Club based in Gulfport.

Joiner received his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and master’s degree in teaching community college education from Mississippi State University. He holds a United States Soccer Association “B” License, National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Diploma, and Level III Goalkeeper Certificate.

He is married to the former Kylie Rowell of Meridian and they have one daughter, Lennon Layne Joiner.