NORFOLK Va. - Old Dominion Athletics has announced the hiring of field hockey assistant coach Daan Polders, head coach Andrew Griffiths announced on Tuesday. Polders comes to ODU with over 30 years of experience in coaching field hockey, recently spending five seasons as the inaugural head coach of Mount Olive (N.C.).
In his five seasons as the head coach of the Trojans, he compiled an overall record of 48-35. Polders led the team to three conference championships, winning back-to-back titles in 22-23, as well as coach of the year both years.
"I am so pleased to welcome Daan Polders to ODU, our team, and our community,” said Griffiths. “He has a sterling reputation, and a well-documented history of success as a championship coach. He brings experience from the ACC, Big Ten, a depth of knowledge, and recruiting connections,”
He was the head coach of the U.S. U-17 Women's National Field Hockey Team and coached within the USA Field Hockey organization since 2003.
Prior to Mount Olive, Polders spent four years as the field hockey program director and head varsity coach at Villa Maria Academy in Pennsylvania. While at Villa Maria, Polders led the Hurricanes to two state championship titles and a state runner-up finish, while compiling an 88-6 overall record.
Before Villa Maria, Polders served as the director of field hockey and the head field hockey varsity coach at Colorado Academy in Denver, Colo. In his two years there, Polders guided the program to two perfect seasons with a record of 35-0. His time included two state championships, two conference championships and two Coach of the Year awards.
“Daan has an excellent high performance mindset, and his international background and knowledge of the European club system is also an asset. I’m excited to get started and to get him working with our team and staff,” added Griffiths.
The Netherlands native boasts experience coaching at Division I schools including Wake Forest from 2005-2011 where he served as an associate head coach. As well as Michigan State from 2002-2005 where Polders took his first collegiate coaching position as an assistant.
Before Wake Forest, he helped the Spartans to three Big Ten regular-season titles, two Big Ten Conference Tournament titles, two NCAA Elite Eight appearances and two NCAA Final Four appearances.
Early in his field hockey career, Polders played in the Dutch National League and on the Dutch National Army Team.
“I feel privileged to be part of this ODU coaching staff. Thanks to Andrew Griffiths and Mimi Smith, I am looking forward to the road ahead of us and working with them and all the athletes,” said Polders.
This past season the Monarchs went 8-10 and 5-2 in the BIG EAST.