NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion field hockey assistant coach Jason Klinkradt has been named the field hockey head coach at Dartmouth, the Big Green announced on Monday.
“I’m thrilled and proud for Jason to get this opportunity for himself and his young family!” said ODU head coach Andrew Griffiths. “He fully deserves it, and based on his experience, he is well prepared. I have full confidence that he is ready to be an NCAA Division I head coach.”
In his one season with the Monarchs, Klinkradt helped compile a record of 8–10, including a 5–2 mark in BIG EAST play, as well as a trip to the first round of the BIG EAST Conference Tournament.
Klinkradt came to Old Dominion with more than a decade of coaching experience, boasting a resume with stops at Delaware, James Madison, Ireland, and South Africa.
“He has worked extremely hard here at ODU. He is driven and determined, and he has made an impact in a short period of time,” added Griffiths. “On behalf of our entire team, staff, and families, I want to thank him, and I wish him the best of success. I know he’s excited about the opportunity in front of him at Dartmouth!”
Klinkradt, a native of South Africa, received a Master of Science degree in sport performance analysis from the Institute of Technology, Carlow in 2020.
Prior to Old Dominion, Klinkradt spent last season at Delaware, helping the Blue Hens to a 12–10 record under head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. He also spent time at James Madison.
Before transitioning to the United States, he served as the sports coordinator and head of hockey at The Teresian School in Dublin, Ireland, for two years, while also serving as the head coach for YMCA Club Dublin for nine years.
Prior to those roles, Klinkradt held various positions with the Irish Hockey Association, including assistant coach of Ireland’s senior men’s team, support coach for Ireland’s senior women’s team, and lead performance analyst.
Klinkradt also served as a head coach at the U21 level, mentoring Free State Province in South Africa and Leinster Province in Ireland. During that time, his South African team medaled three times in the Interstate National Championship, while his Irish team earned two medals.
The South African native also spent time with Hockey Ireland’s U21 men’s program as an assistant coach from 2016–2018 and as a performance analyst from 2017–2019.
Klinkradt is the fifth former player or assistant coach of Griffiths’ to become a collegiate head coach.
“We have already begun the process of finding another high-level coach who will bring great things to our program.” added Griffiths.