New Hampshire tabs former Yale coach Witt to guide women’s team

New Hampshire announced Wednesday that Hilary Witt, who most recently served as assistant coach on the women’s 2014 U.S. Olympic team, has been named the Wildcats’ head women’s coach, effective May 5.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to join the University of New Hampshire and lead this program into the future,” said Witt, who is the fourth head coach in the 37-year history of the program, in a statement.

Witt has been involved with the U.S. Women’s National Team the past several years as both assistant coach and head scout. In addition to silver at the 2014 Olympics, she helped the U.S. win a pair of gold medals (2011, 2013) and silver medals (2007, 2012) at the IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Witt was previously an assistant at her alma mater, Northeastern, from 2010 to 2012 and prior to that, spent nine years (2002-10), including the final eight as head coach, at Yale, where was honored as ECAC Coach of the Year in her first season at the helm (2003).

As a player, Witt is the only Northeastern player who has eclipsed either 100 career goals or 200 career points, as she is the all-time leader with 113 goals and 208 points. She also ranks third in career assists (95), as well as second in games (140), and was a three-time Patty Kazmaier Award nominee.