The Changing of the College Coaching Guard
Should we be worried about the number of coaches leaving the college game?
At some point, we all knew it was going to happen. The legends who built and led their NCAA programs to prominence over the past five decades would sing their swan song and set sail into retirement. New leaders would emerge to fill their shoes. Questions would be asked and we’d have to wait and see the results.
What I wasn’t expecting was the number of coaches who would leave the college coaching ranks along with these legends. The numbers are staggering. More bleak than I originally thought.
From the 40-year veterans like Char and Karen whose first names have become synonymous with the programs they led to emerging leaders like Lynn Farquhar, Caitlin Dallmeyer and Meghan Dawson (yes, my sister) who were experiencing success at mid-major programs to hockey stalwarts like Lori Hussong, Ange Bradley, Pam Stupor, Jill Reeves, and Shelly Morris who have served the game passionately in a multitude of capacities over the decades.
They’ve all left, and I’m not too sure they are coming back. Is this normal attrition in coaching or is something else at play?
Turnover Timeline
Before we dig into the deets about why DI head coaches are leaving, let’s take a look at how the college coaching guard has changed over the past year. Apologies to anyone I may have missed.
November 2021
Brown University: Jill Reeve replaced by Britt Broady
December 2021Â
Yale University: Pam Stuper replaced by Melissa Gonzales
February 2022
Central Michigan University: Catherine Ostoich replaced by Jennifer Johnstone
Bucknell University: Jeremy Cook replaced by Kelsey Kolojejchick
March 2022
Ball State University: Stephanie Bernthal replaced by Caitlin Walsh
July 2022
Saint Joseph’s University: Lynn Farquhar replaced by Hannah Prince
Longwood University: Iain Byers replaced by Miranda Riggs
November 2022
Towson University: E.A. Jackson replaced by Katie Gerzabek Salem
December 2022 / January 2023
Appalachian State: Meghan Dawson replaced by Emily Dinsmore
Syracuse University: Ange Bradley replacement to be determined
Lehigh University: Caitlin Dallmeyer replacement to be determined
University of North Carolina: Karen Shelton replaced by Erin Matson
Northeastern University: Shelley Morris replaced by Pam Spuehler
Rider University: Lori Hussong replacement to be determined
Long Island University: Raenee Savin replacement to be determined
February 2023
Penn State University: Char Morett-Curtiss replacement to be determined
Why Are They Leaving?
Of the coaches who have left programs over the past year, to my knowledge, not many besides Jill Reeve at Roger Williams remain in the college game. Pam Stuper works for USA Field Hockey, Caitlin Dallmeyer works for The Social Institute, Lynn Farquhar works at The George School, Meghan Dawson is prioritizing her family, Ange Bradley prioritizing life beyond the game.
So it begs the question, why are these coaches (mostly women) leaving the college game? What are the driving forces behind the exodus? Should we be concerned? Is there anything the sport can do to change these trends?
Is this trend a field hockey thing? Is it a college athletics thing? Is it an American values thing? Is it a generational thing? Is the trend consistent among assistant coaches? Are new coaches entering and staying in the profession? Is it a professional thing? A personal thing? A cultural thing? A mental health thing? A retention thing?
Are our expectations of coaches overblown?
Quality, experienced coaches at every level are the shepherds and stewards of sport. If we want to grow our game, we need to do a better job retaining and developing field hockey coaches. Not just a few who stay in the profession for forty years, but a multitude who serve as missionaries of the game at every level.
We need to make the coaching culture, community and profession a ‘desirable place to be’ in this country. We need to explore and understand the motivations behind the exodus.
There are a multitude of factors at play; understanding and solving the crisis begins with asking the questions - Why are coaches leaving the college game? Can we do anything to impact the trend?