Jill Dixon

WOOSTER, Ohio – Jill Dixon, most recently the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Wesley College in Dover, Del., will be the next field hockey head coach at The College of Wooster, announced the school's director of athletics, Keith Beckett, on Monday. Dixon's official start date is July 1.

"It is with enthusiasm that I welcome Jill Dixon to our Fighting Scot family," said Beckett. "Her coaching experience, knowledge of the game, and experience in recruiting, coupled with her understanding and commitment to Div. III were dynamic. She will be a motivated and creative coach, investing the energy to deliver a quality, balanced experience to our student-athletes. The search committee, team, and I were especially impressed with the exciting approach and innovative strategies she promises to bring to the program. We look forward to her tenure as head coach, her leadership in building upon our many fine traditions, and returning the program to championship contention."

"I am excited and honored to join the athletic department at Wooster," said Dixon. "I would like to thank Keith Beckett, Ashley Reid, and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity. The College of Wooster is passionately committed to academic and athletic excellence, and I cannot wait to be a part of that experience. I look forward to working with a remarkable group of driven women to build upon the rich history and traditions of the Wooster program."

Dixon started at Wesley as an assistant coach in 2014, and was elevated to the program's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the 2017 season. While with the Wolverines, Dixon's student-athletes earned seven all-Capital Athletic Conference certificates, and competed in a league consistently in the upper echelon of Div. III field hockey conferences. CAC institutions have captured four national championships in the 2000s, and have had three teams ranked, or a combination of ranked and those receiving votes, in the year-end National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll in four of the last five years.

"I am thankful for my time at Wesley and for the guidance of Tracey Short and many others across campus who have been a part of my growth and development over the last four years," said Dixon. "Operating as the associate head coach this past season has allowed me to fine tune my skills while diving into a new level of responsibility in areas typically left untapped by assistant coaches. I have confidence that my experience in the associate head coach role at Wesley has prepared me for this career step, and I am fortunate to have continued support from all sides as I make this transition."

Among the highlights from Dixon's tenure at Wesley was the play of senior back Emily Wagner, who tied for the national lead with 12 defensive saves this past fall.

Dixon is familiar with the North Coast Athletic Conference, and in fact, squared off against Wooster four times during a two-year stint as the lead assistant at Oberlin College. While with the Yeowomen, Dixon tutored a quintet of all-NCAC honorees, including Claire Yeske, who went on to earn all-region honors from the NFHCA.

Dixon's coaching career started at Smith College, where she spent two years. A trio of Pioneers earned all-New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference certificates during Dixon's stint in Northampton, Mass.

Outside of the collegiate ranks, Dixon has coaching experience with USA Field Hockey's Futures Program. Originally a selector, Dixon has climbed the ladder and most recently served as the head coach for the Delaware region. Dixon holds a USA Field Hockey Level II coaching certification.

As a student-athlete, Dixon was a two-sport standout at Randolph-Macon College. In field hockey, Dixon was a four-year starter and earned a trio of all-Old Dominion Athletic Conference certificates. She played both forward and midfielder, and led the Yellow Jackets in points as a junior with 18, and logged 30 career goals. Dixon was also a two-year starter on the women's lacrosse team.

Dixon, a double major as an undergraduate, earned her bachelor's in biology and mathematics from Randolph-Macon in 2009, and a master's in sport leadership from Wesley in 2017.