Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. announced today the appointment of Nicole Levy as the new head coach of the Hofstra women's lacrosse program.

Levy is the 10th head coach in the history of the program, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. 

One of the brightest rising coaches in collegiate lacrosse, Levy comes to Hofstra following a highly successful coaching career that has included stops at Syracuse, Florida, and Colorado, along with extensive experience on the international stage. She has helped lead teams to a pair of NCAA Final Fours, coached and mentored 14 All-Americans, and established herself as an elite recruiter, offensive strategist, and developer of student-athletes.

"We could not be more excited to welcome Nicole Levy to Hofstra and have her lead our women's lacrosse program," said Cole Jr. "Nicole is a winner, an outstanding recruiter, a tremendous teacher, and someone who has made an impact everywhere she has been. She has competed and coached at the highest levels of our sport, and throughout this process, her passion, energy, and vision for Hofstra women's lacrosse stood out. Just as importantly, Nicole understands that developing champions is about much more than what happens on the field. She cares deeply about the student-athlete experience and developing young women as players, students, and people. We believe she is the perfect person to lead the next chapter of this proud program, and we could not be more thrilled to welcome Nicole to the Hofstra family."

"I am incredibly honored, excited, and energized to be the head coach of the Hofstra women's lacrosse program," said Levy. "From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel the passion, commitment, and tremendous potential that defines Hofstra. I want to thank President Susan Poser, Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr., and the members of the search committee for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. We have big goals for this program. We want to compete for championships, earn our way into the NCAA Tournament, and build a program that makes our University, our alumnae, our families, and our fans proud. This is more than just another coaching position for me. This is home, and I cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes and build something special together. I also want to thank Shannon Smith for everything she has done for Hofstra women's lacrosse. Her passion and commitment to the program and its student-athletes have made a lasting impact, and I have tremendous respect for all she accomplished during her time at Hofstra."

Levy arrives in Hempstead after serving as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at her alma mater, Syracuse. In her first season back with the Orange, Levy helped Syracuse to a 14-6 record and an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16, while developing three student-athletes into IWLCA All-Americans. She also helped Syracuse sign a recruiting class ranked among the top five nationally.

Prior to returning to Syracuse, Levy spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Florida, helping lead the Gators to back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances in 2024 and 2025.

Levy's impact at Florida was particularly evident during a historic 2024 campaign. The Gators led the nation in scoring offense at 17.61 goals per game, points per game at 26.48, scoring margin at +9.09, shot percentage at .550, and clearing percentage at .959. Florida also ranked second nationally in free-position percentage (.639) and third in assists per game (8.87). The Gators established program records with 405 goals, 204 assists, 609 points, 603 shots on goal, and a .550 shooting percentage.

That season, the Florida staff was named the American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year and the IWLCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

Before her tenure at Florida, Levy spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Colorado from 2019 through 2023, where her responsibilities included offensive development, practice planning, and recruiting.

Levy has also built an impressive coaching resume on the international stage. She serves as an assistant coach with the Ireland Senior National Team and helped Ireland finish 11th in the world at the 2026 World Games in Tokyo. She previously served as an assistant coach and national team player development coach with Ireland's U20 National Team, helping the program improve from 19th to 10th at the 2024 U20 World Championship in Hong Kong.

A decorated player before beginning her coaching career, Levy starred at Syracuse from 2016 through 2019. She was named the 2016 ACC Rookie of the Year, earned All-Northeast Region honors four times, helped the Orange advance to the NCAA Final Four during her freshman season, and served as a team captain as a senior. Levy ended her career ranked 10th in points (222), tied for ninth in goals (141), and tied for eighth in assists (81) on Syracuse's career charts. She later competed professionally for three seasons with Athletes Unlimited.

Levy earned her degree in human development and family science from Syracuse's David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics in 2019.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NICOLE LEVY

"The Hofstra program, its alumnae, families, and current players are extremely lucky to have Nicole as their new leader. She brings a unique blend of elite teaching, cutting edge IQ, and true care for her players. She continues to learn and shares her pure love of the game everywhere she goes. Hofstra just hit a home run!"

Eileen Ferry
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Bryant University

"Nicole has tremendous passion for the game of lacrosse. She has a drive for success that was fostered from her playing days and grown stronger through her coaching experience. I am confident that Coach Levy will have tremendous success as she leads Hofstra."

Gary Gait
Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University 
(Syracuse women's lacrosse coach from 2007 to 2021)

"Nicole is an exceptional coach, leader, and person, and I am incredibly proud of her and excited to see her take this next step in her career. She has an incredible ability to connect with student-athletes, earn their trust, and bring out the very best in them both on and off the field. Nicole's work ethic, character, passion for the game, and commitment to developing young women make her an outstanding addition to Hofstra. I know she will make a tremendous impact on the program and the lives of the student-athletes she coaches."

Amanda O'Leary
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
University of Florida

"We're unbelievably excited for Nicole in this next journey. She's going to make an immediate impact at Hofstra, just as she did here, both as a coach and a player. Her passion for the game and for developing student-athletes is contagious. She's a very bright mind and will be a great addition at Hofstra. A lot of hard work went into this opportunity, and we couldn't be prouder of Nicole."

Regy Thorpe
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University 

"I'm so excited for and proud of Nicole as she takes this next step. Working with Nicole, first as a player and then the past year as a coach, has been an absolute pleasure. She has a natural ability to connect with student-athletes and get the best out of them. Hofstra is gaining a coach who has immense passion for the development of her players, both on and off the field. Everyone she works with has been positively influenced in some way, and I know she'll continue to excel in her next role."

Caitlin Defliese Watkins
Associate Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University

"I am so excited for Nicole and this incredible opportunity at Hofstra. Shannon did an incredible job at Hofstra and I have no doubt Nicole will build on that solid foundation and find tremendous success. Nicole has had the opportunity to work at some of the nation's top programs, each that gives her its own unique experience. She is bringing a wealth of knowledge to Hofstra from these experiences on every front and I have no doubt Nicole will help Hofstra achieve great things during her tenure."

Ann Elliott Whidden
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
University of Colorado