Bio

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Bill Smith announced Eileen Ferry as the next head coach of the Bryant Women's Lacrosse program on Thursday (July 27).

Ferry will be the sixth head coach in program history and takes over for Brianna Roche who spent the last five years as Bryant's head coach. 

"It is with great excitement that we welcome Eileen to the Bulldog family as our next women's lacrosse head coach," Smith said. "Coach Ferry's success as both a Division I head coach and assistant, including a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances while at Monmouth, speaks for itself. The future of Bryant Women's Lacrosse is in great hands."

Ferry comes to Smithfield after spending the past four seasons as an assistant coach at Brown. A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Ferry brings 12 years of coaching experience to Bryant, including three as a collegiate head coach. Ferry has also coached on the international stage, serving as the head coach of the Ireland U19 team and most recently as the head coach of the U20 team at the 2023 Euro's.

She served as the head coach at Ursuline College in 2019, an assistant coach at Robert Morris in 2018 and the previous six years, including two as head coach, at Monmouth University.

At Monmouth, Ferry helped the Hawks reach back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2012 and 2013 before being named the fifth head coach in Monmouth history in August of 2015. She led the Hawks to a 12-9 record and a spot in the MAAC Championship game her first season, finishing with an 18-18 overall record in two seasons.

"I am thrilled to be the next head coach at Bryant," Ferry said. "I want to thank Bill Smith, Jason Sullivan and the entire search committee for trusting me to lead their program. The winning tradition, top tier facilities and the department's focus on providing the very best for its student-athletes is second to none. Bryant's rich tradition is a direct result of the tremendous players and coaches who have come through this program. We are committed to making them proud."

As the head coach at Monmouth, Ferry had seven players earn all-conference honors and 22 named to the conference's academic honor roll. In her time as an assistant, Ferry helped the Hawks to four conference tournaments, two NCAA Tournament appearances, two conference tournament titles and a regular season championship. Ferry was in charge of the defense as an assistant, coaching Gianna D'Urso to NEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013. She also had four players earn first team all-conference honors and three earn spots on the All-Tournament team.

Ferry graduated from Rutgers in 2011, serving as a player-assistant coach as a junior and senior. She had her playing career at Rutgers cut short due to a number of knee injuries she suffered as a freshman and sophomore.  Ferry was put in charge of the goalkeepers as a senior and RU's goalies finished second in the Big East in goals against average and third in the league in save percentage. 

What They're Saying about Coach Ferry

Kelly Nangle - Head Coach at Liberty

"I am so excited for the Bryant Bulldogs! Eileen is a highly respected and accomplished coach in our community. I have no doubt that she will guide the Bryant lacrosse program to new heights! She has a genuine passion for the game and for developing athletes both on and off the field. I am eager to see the positive impact she will have on the University, the lacrosse program and the Bryant community. The Bulldogs got a good one!"

Katie Woods - Head Coach at UConn

"Eileen is a great fit to lead the Bryant program forward. She's a seasoned coach that brings a solid combination of knowledge, passion, and energy to any team. I'm excited to see what she'll do with this Bryant team."

 Keely McDonald - Former head coach at Brown

"Eileen makes a powerful and immediate impact on teams and players wherever she goes. She is a natural leader who is extremely well-respected by her players and colleagues. She has a creative mind for the game on both sides of the ball and will lead Bryant with integrity and passion every day. I am thrilled for her and the Bryant program."