Behrens hired as VCU Field Hockey Head Coach

Last season’s field hockey interim head coach Shelley Behrens was named as the new head coach for the Ram’s program.

Behrens led the team to their most successful season since 1998. The team finished with a 7-12 overall record, which was their best finish in over four years. The record was also double what the Rams had done the season prior.

Before coming to VCU, Behrens spent four seasons at the University of Richmond as head coach. From 1997 to 2000 Behrens built a 30-54 overall record with the Spiders, including two CAA semifinal tournament appearances.

Before coming to Richmond, Behrens spent eight seasons at five different Division I programs as an assistant. During those eight seasons, Behrens reached the NCAA tournament three times.

The new head coach began her college coaching career in 1989 as an assistant at Penn State. The team went 18-3-1 that season and earned an NCAA tournament berth. The next season, the team went 21-4 and made it to the Final Four. Behrens was also part of Northeastern’s 1994 team that won the America East championship. Behrens has also served on the staff at James Madison and Temple University.

Behrens also works with the United States Field Hockey Association. She was an assistant coach at the 199 Pan American Games where the U.S. team earned a silver medal. Behrens was also an assistant coach for the 2000 and 2001 national teams.

Behrens, a 1988 graduate of Old Dominion University, started four years in net for the Monarchs. She received All-South Region honors in 1986 and 1987. Behrens she part of the 1984 national championship squad and the 1985 team, which reached the NCAA finals.