Bryant Athletics announces Joppe de Vries as next head field hockey coach

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University President Ronald K. Machtley and Director of Athletics Bill Smith are pleased to announce the hiring of Joppe de Vries as the next head coach of the Bulldog field hockey program.

De Vries (pronounced YO-pa de-VREEZ), who spent the last four seasons at the University of Maryland, will assume the role effective July 1. He becomes the third head coach in Bryant field hockey history.

"We are excited to announce Joppe de Vries as our next head field hockey coach," said Smith. "Joppe is so well respected throughout the field hockey community, and his reputation at the collegiate, national and international levels will no doubt have an immediate impact on our program. Joppe brings with him a winning tradition and a history of player development, and we look forward to seeing the program become a perennial contender under his guidance."

"With a team GPA ranked inside the top-five in the nation in each of the last two seasons, our Bulldogs are already leaders in the classroom and in the community, and I am confident that Joppe de Vries is the right person to continue those winning traditions in every aspect of our student-athletes' lives," said Machtley. "Joppe understands our commitment to success in the classroom and on the field and has proven he can deliver both for our student-athletes at Bryant University."

Promoted to associate head coach at the University of Maryland in 2016 after serving three years as assistant coach and technical director, de Vries has been instrumental in the Terrapins' run to the last four NCAA tournaments, including a 2013 Final Four appearance and two trips to the NCAA Quarterfinals (2014, 2016).

The Terps have won ACC or Big Ten Championships in all four seasons with de Vries on staff, including three-straight Big Ten Regular-Season titles. As a goalkeepers' coach in his first year, he guided Natalie Hunter to an NFHCA Third Team All-America accolade after she backstopped a team that finished 22-2 in its final season in the ACC.

A USA High Performance Center head coach with USA Field Hockey (Mid-Atlantic region) since 2013, de Vries works with all three US National Teams (Women's National Team, U-21 and U-17) throughout the year and serves on the coaching staff at the USA Junior National Team Camp.

Prior to his arrival in the United States, de Vries spent two years training and developing the goalkeepers of the South Africa Men's and Women's National Teams, as well as working with South Africa's U-18 and U-21 teams from 2010-12. South Africa qualified for the 2012 London Olympics on both the men's and women's sides. De Vries has also served coaching stints with Hockeyclub Rotterdam in the Dutch Premier League and with a variety of other club programs in the Netherlands.

"I am truly excited and grateful to be named the head coach at Bryant University," said de Vries. "I am looking forward to bringing my coaching experiences, as well as my love for the game, to the team. I would like to thank Bill Smith, John Ruppert and the search committee for giving me this opportunity. I can't wait to start working with this ambitious team!"

De Vries spent eight years teaching physical education and marketing communications at the University of Amsterdam from 2005-13. He earned his degree from the University of Amsterdam in physical education and sports management in 2000.

De Vries and his wife, Katrien Van Den Eijnde, have two children, Saar and Tijn.

What they are saying about Joppe de Vries:

"A huge CONGRATULATIONS from Maryland Athletics to Joppe and Bryant University. We thank you for your years of passionate hockey knowledge and commitment to the Terps. Looking forward to competing with the Bulldogs."
– Missy Meharg, University of Maryland head coach

"I'm sure Bryant Field Hockey will grow and develop under Joppe's leadership. Joppe has amassed many years of applied coaching experience that will help build the program both on and off the field. He understands the importance of team development, as well empowering individuals by engaging them in the learning process. These are exciting times for Bryant, and I look forward to following the journey."
– Craig Parnham, USA Field Hockey Director of Coach Education and Learning

"Joppe de Vries is an outstanding coach with a proven track record. He knows how to win. I am confident that he will be an exceptional leader for the field hockey program at Bryant. Joppe will bring with him a skill set which will inspire his student-athletes to excel on and off the field and in all aspects of life. Congratulations to the Bryant Athletics department on this fantastic hire, and I wish Joppe all the best with this new position."
– Tjerk Van Herwaarden, Harvard University head coach