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New Faces, New Eras: A Look at the 2025 Collegiate Field Hockey Coaching Carousel

Jul 25, 2025 | 2024-2025, News

Manahawkin, NJ – As the 2025 field hockey season draws near, 36 NCAA institutions across all three collegiate divisions will welcome new head coaches to the sideline — a signal of both growth and transition in the sport.  Among the 36 are six brand-new programs, where inaugural head coaches will lay the cultural and competitive foundations for years to come.

This year’s total aligns with recent trends: 32 new head coaches took the helm in 2024, following a post-COVID surge in 2023 when 46 programs welcomed new leadership. Head coaching appointments are still pending at Saint Louis University, Long Island University (LIU), and Dominican University, with final selections expected soon.

Among the most high-profile moves, Kristi Gannon Fisher takes the reins at the University of Michigan following the retirement of legendary head coach Marcia Pankratz. A proud alumna and former Wolverine standout herself, Gannon Fisher is no stranger to the program’s tradition of excellence.

“I am looking forward to continuing the great tradition of Michigan field hockey that Marcia Pankratz built,” said Gannon Fisher. “I’m honored to lead the program that I played for as a student-athlete. I’m excited to see what Team 53 can do on the field, in the classroom and in the community this year.”

Another notable transition comes from the perennial Division II powerhouse Shippensburg University, where Rayell Wallace was named head coach following the departure of her predecessor to a Division I program. Wallace brings energy and vision to a team with a championship pedigree.

“I’m looking forward to the next challenge and step in my coaching career,” Wallace said. “Shippensburg University Field Hockey has a strong tradition of success and has developed a championship culture. We are excited to work to raise the program’s standards every day.”

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) celebrates these new beginnings and recognizes the continued growth and evolution of coaching leadership across all collegiate levels. This year’s movement underscores the vibrancy and upward mobility within the sport.

Full List of 2025 Offseason Coaching Changes:

  • Alfred University (New Program): Adair Milmoe

  • Arcadia University: Regan Sammons

  • Barton College (New Program): Colleen Cassada

  • Bellarmine University: Toby Platt

  • Bridgewater College: Emily Bagby

  • Bryant University: Kellie Joyce

  • Connecticut College: Ryley van der Velde

  • Delaware Valley University: Hannah Armstrong

  • Dickinson College: Maggie Sohns

  • Dominican University (New Program): TBD

  • Eastern Mennonite University: Sydney Metz

  • Fairfield University: Laura Gebhart

  • John Carroll University (New Program): Gina Stephan

  • Keuka College: Jessica Franklin

  • King’s College: Kirby Szalkowski

  • Lancaster Bible College: Kevin Hertzog

  • LIU: TBD

  • Marian University: Derek Aspinall

  • Neumann University: Dana Ott

  • Ramapo College: Rachel McHale

  • Rhodes College: Hannah Lott

  • Rider University: Gina Carey-Smith

  • Saint Louis University – TBD

  • Sewanee – University of the South: Haley Overstreet

  • Shippensburg University: Rayell Wallace

  • Slippery Rock University: Missy Revesz

  • Sweet Briar College: Isabella Kondi

  • University of Hartford (New Program): Rhonwen Peters

  • UMass Boston (New Program): Amanda Arpe

  • University of Delaware: Tara Zollinger

  • University of Michigan: Kristi Gannon Fisher

  • University of Mount Olive: Brittney Randolph

  • University of Pennsylvania: Scott Tupper

  • Virginia Wesleyan University: Baylor Baxley

  • Washington & Jefferson College: Mackenzie Gagliardi

  • William Paterson University: Melissa Zurawiecki

As the 2025 season kicks off, these coaches will bring fresh perspectives and leadership to their respective programs. The NFHCA looks forward to watching how these transitions shape the future of collegiate field hockey and continues to support the development and success of coaches nationwide.

Please inform the NFHCA about any additional NCAA head coaching changes by emailing outreach@nfhca.org.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the organization is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to cultivate and recognize the professional contributions of its membership and to foster and promote the growth of the sport. The NFHCA is responsible for providing a recognizable presence and voice in regard to legislation affecting the sport as well as interscholastic and intercollegiate programs.