NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Associate Head Field Hockey Coach Natalie Holder has taken the Head Coach and Program Director position at Norfolk Academy, Holder announced on Tuesday.
Holder will stay on at ODU until the end of the spring semester.
“After a wonderful 12 years at ODU, this opportunity has come at the right time for my career and my family,” said Holder. “I would like to thank Wood Selig and all of the coaches, administrators, support staff that I’ve worked alongside all of these years. ODU is truly a special place and it’s the people I have had the privilege to work with who have made it so enjoyable.”
A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Holder joined Old Dominion in 2013, hired by Griffiths, before becoming Old Dominion’s Associate Head Coach in 2019.
In her first season as an assistant coach, Holder helped ODU to its first BIG EAST regular season title, going 6-1 in conference play. During the 2013 season ODU won 12 straight games, the longest streak since 2011 en route to an NCAA at-large berth and a fourth straight NCAA appearance.
“As she moves on to her next challenge, this is a moment to celebrate Natalie, and all she has done for ODU and our Field Hockey program,” said Griffiths. “I am thrilled for Nat to take on her new role at Norfolk Academy. I have had the privilege to work, alongside her, leading ODU Field hockey together for 12 years. I see her as a stellar example of what an NCAA coach should be: she is driven towards team success, but is just as passionate and dedicated to the development and care of each individual student-athlete that plays for ODU.
In her third season ODU took down five ranked opponents, defeating No. 7 Penn State, No. 19 Michigan State, No. 8 Wake Forest, No. 19 James Madison and No. 5 UVA.
Holder, along with Head Coach Andrew Griffiths and Assistant Coach Peter Taylor were named the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the year in 2022 after going 15-3 and 6-1 in conference play.
Old Dominion finished the 2023 season with a record of 14-6 and went 6-1 in conference play en route to defeating Liberty in the BIG EAST Conference tournament and returning to the NCAA Tournament.
“She behaves with class, and has worked tirelessly as a leader, teacher, mentor and person. Our young student-athletes could not have a better role model, an example of what it means to be a leader of integrity and courage; a woman of hope, loyalty, drive and also resilience,” said Griffiths. “Natalie is a special coach, “teammate” and friend. She has earned every step forward along the way, and she deserves all the best of future success personally and professionally. We will miss her and wish her and her family the best of success.”
Holder is happily married to Ian Holder and the two have two daughters, Luna and Roma.
“To Andrew- thank you for everything. We did it our way, and I am incredibly proud of our success over the years and so proud of the culture we have created together. We could write a book about our 12 years side by side,” said Holder. “To all the players I have coached here at ODU- you have each impacted my life more than you’ll ever know. I will leave here with memories that will last a lifetime. Ian, Luna, Roma and I will always hold ODU close to our hearts and we will be on the sideline at many games in the future,” said Holder.
“Forever a Monarch.”