Central Michigan University Athletics
Kelly Terwilliger Named Eighth Central Michigan Field Hockey Coach
1/23/2026 11:15:00 AM | Field Hockey
Terwilliger arrives at Central Michigan after serving a combined 10 seasons as head coach at the Indiana (Pa.) (four years) and Colby College (six years) programs.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Kelly Terwilliger has been named the eighth head coach in the history of the Central Michigan field hockey program, Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan announced on Friday morning.
"We are thrilled to welcome Kelly Terwilliger to Mount Pleasant to lead our field hockey program," Folan said. "Kelly brings invaluable experience across all three NCAA divisions as a head coach, assistant coach, and player. Her extensive recruiting network spans across the country and internationally, and her proven success in the Mid-American Conference, combined with her deep understanding of Midwest field hockey, makes her an ideal fit for Central Michigan."
"What truly sets Kelly apart is her genuine commitment to the student-athlete experience, our university and her investment in what we're building here. We are confident she will develop a program that our entire community can take pride in."
Terwilliger has an extensive background in collegiate coaching across multiple levels, as she has directed the programs at both NCAA Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania and NCAA Division III Colby College (Maine).
Terwilliger has spent the last four years leading IUP, where she posted a 32-33 record, including a 15-21 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Prior to IUP, Terwilliger served six years as the head coach at Colby, which competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. She led the Mules to a 38-38 record with three consecutive nine-win seasons.
Before her time at Colby, she was the associate head coach at Indiana, where she helped the Hoosiers to a No. 25 national ranking in 2015. She also served as an assistant at her alma mater Ohio State for four years.
Terwilliger began her coaching career as graduate assistant before moving onto an assistant coach position at Mid-American Conference rival Ohio. Over three seasons with the Bobcats, she helped secure two MAC championships.
"Central Michigan University is a special place and I'm honored to be selected to lead its field hockey program," Terwilliger said. "I believe in the direction of this department, the leadership of President Dr. Neil MacKinnon and Athletic Director Amy Folan, and the potential of our student-athletes. My commitment is simple: relentless preparation, genuine relationships, and building a program this community can be proud of. Central Michigan will get my very best. Fire Up Chips!"
As a player, Terwilliger was a four-year starter as a defender at Ohio State from 2004-07. She earned All-Big-Ten honors in 2007 and was an Ohio State Scholar-Athlete honoree. In 2006 she helped lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship and an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance. In her four-year career, Ohio State advanced to the NCAA tournament three times.
An East Stroudsburg, Pa. native, Terwilliger earned a Bachelor of Science degree as an education major from Ohio State in 2009. She went on to earn two master's degrees from Ohio University, the first in coaching education (2010) and the second in sports administration (2015).
Terwilliger has also served as a coach with USA Field Hockey from 2009-17, and is the owner of the Maine Majestic Field Hockey Club and Maine Field Hockey Academy.
Terwilliger will be introduced to the campus community at a time to be determined.
THE TERWILLIGER FILE
Education
Ohio State University, 2009 – bachelor's degree, education
Ohio University, 2010 - master's degree, coaching education
Ohio University, 2015 - master's degree, sports administration
Coaching Career
Head coach, Central Michigan University, 2026-current
Head coach, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2022-25
Head coach, Colby (Maine) College, 2016-22
Associate head coach, Indiana University, 2015-16
Assistant coach, Ohio State University, 2011-15
Graduate assistant / assistant coach, Ohio University, 2009-11
Other Coaching Positions
USA Field Hockey, 2009-17
Playing Career
Ohio State University, 2004-07
Coaching Accomplishments
70-71 overall record as a head coach
32-33 overall record in four seasons at Indiana (Pa.)
38-38 overall record in six seasons at Colby (Maine) College
2009 Mid-American Conference champion
2009 Mid-American Conference Tournament champion
Two-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament qualifier
Two-time New England Small College Athletic Conference Tournament qualifier
Follow Central Michigan Field Hockey:
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
"We are thrilled to welcome Kelly Terwilliger to Mount Pleasant to lead our field hockey program," Folan said. "Kelly brings invaluable experience across all three NCAA divisions as a head coach, assistant coach, and player. Her extensive recruiting network spans across the country and internationally, and her proven success in the Mid-American Conference, combined with her deep understanding of Midwest field hockey, makes her an ideal fit for Central Michigan."
"What truly sets Kelly apart is her genuine commitment to the student-athlete experience, our university and her investment in what we're building here. We are confident she will develop a program that our entire community can take pride in."
Terwilliger has an extensive background in collegiate coaching across multiple levels, as she has directed the programs at both NCAA Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania and NCAA Division III Colby College (Maine).
Terwilliger has spent the last four years leading IUP, where she posted a 32-33 record, including a 15-21 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Prior to IUP, Terwilliger served six years as the head coach at Colby, which competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. She led the Mules to a 38-38 record with three consecutive nine-win seasons.
Before her time at Colby, she was the associate head coach at Indiana, where she helped the Hoosiers to a No. 25 national ranking in 2015. She also served as an assistant at her alma mater Ohio State for four years.
Terwilliger began her coaching career as graduate assistant before moving onto an assistant coach position at Mid-American Conference rival Ohio. Over three seasons with the Bobcats, she helped secure two MAC championships.
"Central Michigan University is a special place and I'm honored to be selected to lead its field hockey program," Terwilliger said. "I believe in the direction of this department, the leadership of President Dr. Neil MacKinnon and Athletic Director Amy Folan, and the potential of our student-athletes. My commitment is simple: relentless preparation, genuine relationships, and building a program this community can be proud of. Central Michigan will get my very best. Fire Up Chips!"
As a player, Terwilliger was a four-year starter as a defender at Ohio State from 2004-07. She earned All-Big-Ten honors in 2007 and was an Ohio State Scholar-Athlete honoree. In 2006 she helped lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship and an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance. In her four-year career, Ohio State advanced to the NCAA tournament three times.
An East Stroudsburg, Pa. native, Terwilliger earned a Bachelor of Science degree as an education major from Ohio State in 2009. She went on to earn two master's degrees from Ohio University, the first in coaching education (2010) and the second in sports administration (2015).
Terwilliger has also served as a coach with USA Field Hockey from 2009-17, and is the owner of the Maine Majestic Field Hockey Club and Maine Field Hockey Academy.
Terwilliger will be introduced to the campus community at a time to be determined.
THE TERWILLIGER FILE
Education
Ohio State University, 2009 – bachelor's degree, education
Ohio University, 2010 - master's degree, coaching education
Ohio University, 2015 - master's degree, sports administration
Coaching Career
Head coach, Central Michigan University, 2026-current
Head coach, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2022-25
Head coach, Colby (Maine) College, 2016-22
Associate head coach, Indiana University, 2015-16
Assistant coach, Ohio State University, 2011-15
Graduate assistant / assistant coach, Ohio University, 2009-11
Other Coaching Positions
USA Field Hockey, 2009-17
Playing Career
Ohio State University, 2004-07
Coaching Accomplishments
70-71 overall record as a head coach
32-33 overall record in four seasons at Indiana (Pa.)
38-38 overall record in six seasons at Colby (Maine) College
2009 Mid-American Conference champion
2009 Mid-American Conference Tournament champion
Two-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament qualifier
Two-time New England Small College Athletic Conference Tournament qualifier
Follow Central Michigan Field Hockey:
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
— CMU —
Field Hockey vs Kent State
Sunday, October 19
Field Hockey vs Appalachian State
Friday, October 10
Field Hockey vs Ohio
Sunday, September 28
Field Hockey vs James Madison
Friday, September 19