Holt Joins Field Hockey Staff as Assistant Coach

University of Louisville field hockey coach Justine Sowry has announced that Will Holt will join her staff as an assistant coach.

"I am thrilled to welcome Will back to Louisville," said Sowry. "It seems like just a few short years ago when he worked with us as a volunteer assistant while he was a student here and he brought instant energy and enthusiasm to the mix. Will is a tireless worker with a vast knowledge of the game from both a tactical and technical standpoint. I think he is the perfect addition to our staff as we continue to work toward a national championship."

Holt joins the Cardinals after serving as an assistant coach at Indiana University for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He returns to his alma mater where he spent four seasons volunteer coach from 2012-15 while earning his bachelor's and master's degrees.

"I'm excited about returning to Louisville, any chance you get to coach at your alma mater is special," said Holt. "This program has grown so much since I was last here, which is a testament to the work Justine, previous staffs, and all the athletes have put in over the years. This is a great opportunity, and I'm looking forward to getting to work."

While at Indiana, Holt helped guide the 2021 Hoosiers to 10 wins including seven shutout victories, two ranked victories and a Big Ten Tournament appearance. After the season, Kira Curland was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Tournament Team and NFHCA West Region Second Team.

Holt, a member of the U.S. Men's National Field Hockey Team since 2008, has also built an impressive resume as a player and a coach within the USA Field Hockey organization.

As a player with the USMNT, he has tallied 85 goals in 146 international appearances and served as team captain from 2014-17. Holt has competed in numerous international tournaments, helping Team USA to gold medals in the 2018 Hockey Series Open in Salamanca, Mexico as well as the World League Round 1 in 2012 (Chula Vista, Calif.) and 2016 (Salamanca). Other notable competitions include the 2019 FIH Series Finals and the World Hockey League Round 2 in 2013 and 2015. He also played in the Pan American Games (2011, 2015, 2019) as well as the Pan American Cup (2009, 2017).

He also contributed to USA Field Hockey as a coach, starting as an assistant for the U21 men's team (2016-19) and the U16 squad (2016-18). Holt went on to become head coach of the U18 team in 2016, remaining in that role until 2019. He recently earned his USA Field Hockey Level 3 certification, the highest-level certification that USA Field Hockey offers and is eligible for FIH accreditation.

In addition to his coaching duties, Holt has served on the USA Field Hockey Judicial Committee since April 2017. He also spent two terms as a member of the Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) - the liaison to the United States Olympic Committee and USFHA Board of Directors for USA Field Hockey athletes.

Holt began coaching in Europe in 2010 as the head coach for the Royal Oreé T.H.B U16 Boys Team in Brussels, Belgium. Following his first stint at Louisville, he returned to Belgium in 2016 and resumed his coaching career at the helm of the Royal Pengouins HC U16 Boys Team and assistant coach for the U18 Boys Team. Holt spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons in the Netherlands coaching the U16 Boys Team at V.M.H.C. Cartouche and the U14 Girls Team with NMHC Nijmegen.

He honed his playing resume for seven seasons, competing in top European club teams spanning the Netherlands, Germany and England. Holt has played for VMHC Cartouche (2009, 2018-19), Royal Oreé T.H.B (2010), Royal Pingouins HC (2016), Southgate FC (2017), HC Ludwigsburg (2018), and most recently NMHC Nijmegen in 2019.

The Camarillo, California native earned his bachelor's degree in Health and Human Performance (Exercise Science) from the University of Louisville in 2013. He went on to complete his master's degree in Athletic Administration in 2016.

University of Louisville Athletics

Related News

Related Videos