Ever since he began his coaching career, Dave Stricklin has been synonymous with success. After three years as an assistant coach, Stricklin took over at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California and set the standard for community college basketball. In eight seasons as head coach at GWC, Stricklin compiled an almost unbelievable record of 259-27, and reached the 200 win plateau as fast as anyone in community college history. While winning seven championships in eight seasons, Stricklin's teams averaged over 32 wins and only three losses a season.

In his first year as head coach at UCC his team posted an impressive 25-8 record as the Timberwomen reached the Final Four, shattered 14 UCC and NWAACC records and became the highest scoring community college team in Pacific Northwest history by averaging nearly 90 points per game. Stricklin's second season was even more impressive. Starting five freshmen most of the season, UCC rolled to a 29-4 record and captured the school's first ever NWAACC Championship. Stricklin was named both the Southern Region and NWAACC Coach of the Year. In 1999 Umpqua won the NWAACC So. Region Championship again with a 28-4 record giving Coach Stricklin another Coach of the Year award. The 2000 season saw Umpqua win it's second NWAACC Championship with a near perfect 31-1 record and Stricklin was again named the Southern Region and NWAACC Coach of the Year. It was also the 13th consecutive year that Coach Stricklin's teams have won at least 25 games. In 2001 Umpqua finished 24-5,and at the end of the season Stricklin was recognized at the NCAA National Coach of the Year banquet in St. Louis, MO. for winning his 400th game. The following season, Umpqua with a 28-5 record and a 92 ppg scoring average, was ranked #1 in every single NWAACC poll throughout the season only to be upset in the Final Four by Wenatchee Valley. Following the season Coach Stricklin was honored as the WBCA/Rawlings District 8 (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Hawaii, & Alaska) Coach of the Year and once again attended the National Coach of the Year banquet.

In 2009, a Stricklin coached team won at least 25 games for the 20th time as the Riverhawks posted a 29-3 record and again led the Pacific Northwest in scoring at 90 ppg. UCC was ranked #1 in every single coach's poll throughout the season and Stricklin was named the NWAACC Southern Region Coach of the Year for the second straight year. At the end of the year, 7 Umpqua players received scholarships to four year universities.

In recognition of his outstanding career, Dave Stricklin was inducted into the California Community College Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in March 2008. Stricklin's career won-loss record now stands at an amazing 657-132. More importantly, he has helped over 100 of his athletes receive scholarships to four year schools.