EVANSTON, Ill. — Dartmouth College has named former Northwestern assistant coach Danielle Spencer as its new head coach, the Big Green announced on Monday. Spencer takes over as the fourth head coach in program history after spending nearly the last decade in the Wildcats program as a standout player and assistant coach under Kelly Amonte Hiller.
"This is a great choice by Dartmouth," Amonte Hiller said. "I could not think of a better role model and mentor for the Dartmouth women's lacrosse student athletes. Losing a great coach and a loyal friend is tough, but Spence is ready. I could not be happier for her."
After finishing her career as a two-time All-American and three-time NCAA champion that scored 193 goals and recorded 238 points in 83 games for the Wildcats, Spencer spent a season as an assistant coach at Stanford before returning to Chicago's Big Ten Team as an assistant in July of 2012.
She has spent the last four seasons helping develop the offense and focusing on Northwestern's draw specialists. She still ranks third in program history herself with 203. Spencer also served as the program's recruiting coordinator and was key in securing the No. 1-ranked class in the country in 2014.
"Dartmouth is a world-class institution that excels in Division I athletics," Spencer said. "I am honored and extremely excited to accept this position and lead the women's lacrosse program. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Harry Sheehy, Wendy Bordeau, and the entire athletic department at Dartmouth for making this incredible opportunity possible. I would also like to thank President Morty Schapiro, Dr. Jim Phillips, Janna Blais, and Kelly Amonte Hiller of Northwestern for their support and guidance. I am prepared for this opportunity because of the mentorship I received from Kelly as a player and coach at Northwestern. I look forward to meeting the team, former players, and getting to work!"
Spencer becomes the ninth former Wildcat to be named a head coach of a women's lacrosse program. The Amonte Hiller coaching tree also includes seven former players who are assistant coaches and four former assistants who are now head coaches.
HEAD COACHES
Danielle Spencer – Dartmouth
Lindsey Munday – USC
Ann Elliott – Colorado
Shannon Smith – Hofstra
Angela McMahon – UMASS
Sarah Albrecth – New Hampshire
Christy Leach – Stetson
Katrina Dowd – Oregon
Lynda McCandlish – Oberlin College
ASSISTANT COACHES
Bridget Bianco – Richmond
Kara Mupo – William & Mary
Alyssa Leonard – USC
Brianne LoManto – UMASS
Brooke Matthews – Penn State
Alex Frank – Colorado
Kelly Rich – Tufts
FORMER ASSISTANTS NOW HEAD COACHES
Alexis Venechanos – Ohio State
Hillary Fratzke – William & Mary
Acacia Walker – Boston College
Keely McDonald – Brown University
"It is so exciting to see so many former Northwestern players and coaches making coaching a career," Amonte Hiller said. "My goal as a coach is to spread my passion for the game while at the same time getting a chance to mentor the next generation of young student-athletes. I am proud that we now have so many Northwestern coaches and student-athletes spreading this amazing game of women's lacrosse."
Spencer replaces Amy Patton, who spent the last 26 seasons as the head coach of the Big Green.
The Wildcats will begin a national search to replace Spencer for the 2017 season.
"This is a great choice by Dartmouth," Amonte Hiller said. "I could not think of a better role model and mentor for the Dartmouth women's lacrosse student athletes. Losing a great coach and a loyal friend is tough, but Spence is ready. I could not be happier for her."
After finishing her career as a two-time All-American and three-time NCAA champion that scored 193 goals and recorded 238 points in 83 games for the Wildcats, Spencer spent a season as an assistant coach at Stanford before returning to Chicago's Big Ten Team as an assistant in July of 2012.
She has spent the last four seasons helping develop the offense and focusing on Northwestern's draw specialists. She still ranks third in program history herself with 203. Spencer also served as the program's recruiting coordinator and was key in securing the No. 1-ranked class in the country in 2014.
"Dartmouth is a world-class institution that excels in Division I athletics," Spencer said. "I am honored and extremely excited to accept this position and lead the women's lacrosse program. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Harry Sheehy, Wendy Bordeau, and the entire athletic department at Dartmouth for making this incredible opportunity possible. I would also like to thank President Morty Schapiro, Dr. Jim Phillips, Janna Blais, and Kelly Amonte Hiller of Northwestern for their support and guidance. I am prepared for this opportunity because of the mentorship I received from Kelly as a player and coach at Northwestern. I look forward to meeting the team, former players, and getting to work!"
Spencer becomes the ninth former Wildcat to be named a head coach of a women's lacrosse program. The Amonte Hiller coaching tree also includes seven former players who are assistant coaches and four former assistants who are now head coaches.
HEAD COACHES
Danielle Spencer – Dartmouth
Lindsey Munday – USC
Ann Elliott – Colorado
Shannon Smith – Hofstra
Angela McMahon – UMASS
Sarah Albrecth – New Hampshire
Christy Leach – Stetson
Katrina Dowd – Oregon
Lynda McCandlish – Oberlin College
ASSISTANT COACHES
Bridget Bianco – Richmond
Kara Mupo – William & Mary
Alyssa Leonard – USC
Brianne LoManto – UMASS
Brooke Matthews – Penn State
Alex Frank – Colorado
Kelly Rich – Tufts
FORMER ASSISTANTS NOW HEAD COACHES
Alexis Venechanos – Ohio State
Hillary Fratzke – William & Mary
Acacia Walker – Boston College
Keely McDonald – Brown University
"It is so exciting to see so many former Northwestern players and coaches making coaching a career," Amonte Hiller said. "My goal as a coach is to spread my passion for the game while at the same time getting a chance to mentor the next generation of young student-athletes. I am proud that we now have so many Northwestern coaches and student-athletes spreading this amazing game of women's lacrosse."
Spencer replaces Amy Patton, who spent the last 26 seasons as the head coach of the Big Green.
The Wildcats will begin a national search to replace Spencer for the 2017 season.