MADISON, N.J. (January 30, 2019) – After a national search, the Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Department of Athletics has chosen Maura Johnston as the next Head Field Hockey Coach.

Johnston replaces Jenn Noon, who resigned as the program's all-time leader with 118 career wins to fulfill her duties as the Director of Athletics. She will be the seventh head coach in program history and inherits a team that set the school record with 18 victories while advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

"Mo's experiences both as a student-athlete at Montclair State and her top assistant stints at Catholic University and Stevens Institute of Technology solidified why I am honored to announce Mo as my successor," Noon explained. "Mo set herself apart with her passion for coaching, her eagerness to recruit and most importantly her emphasis on developing the student-athlete as a whole. The search committee was very impressed with Mo's energy, maturity as a young coach, and commitment to upholding strong tradition of success.  Mo is a born leader and I look forward to the future of our program under her direction."

The New Jersey native spent the 2018 campaign as an Assistant Coach and Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development with the Stevens Institute of Technology. She helped guide the Ducks to a 12-7 record, including a 6-2 mark in the Empire 8 Conference. The Ducks qualified for the Empire 8 Conference Championship, earning the No. 3 seed.

As the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development with Stevens, Johnston oversaw the "Duckling" community outreach program where the Stevens student-athletes teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lessons to Hoboken public school students. Additionally, she helped coordinate and facilitate discussions in the "Top of the V" student-athlete mentorship and leadership program.

Prior to Stevens, Johnston served as a Graduate Assistant Coach at the Catholic University of America for two seasons. In 2017, the Cardinals coaching staff was named the Landmark Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. Catholic had six players garner All-Landmark Conference honors in 2017 while knocking off a trio of ranked opponents. She was instrumental in organizing team outreach programs including helping local at-risk youths learn to live healthy lifestyles as part of the "Girls in Action" program.

"I am honored to be named the next head field hockey coach at FDU-Florham," Johnston stated. "I would like to thank Jenn Noon and the search committee for giving me this opportunity and believing in the vision we collectively have for the Field Hockey program. The work that Jenn has done to give the program such a strong foundation will be integral to the further development of the program. I am honored to be given the opportunity to continue and build on these successes. I would also like to thank my family and all of the amazing coaches and colleagues that have mentored me. I am excited to be a part of the FDU community and lead the next chapter of Devils Field Hockey."

Additionally, Johnston served on the coaching staff at Montclair State University in the spring of 2016 and was a coach at the USA Field Hockey Futures Tournament, South East Storm Field Hockey Club along with McDaniel College, Misericordia University and Sandy Sticks field hockey camps.

Johnston was a four-year starter at Montclair State, where she led the Red Hawks to their first-ever NJAC Conference Championships in 2012 and 2013. Montclair marched all the way to the NCAA Championship Game in 2012. She was First-Team All-New Jersey Athletic Conference and selected for the NFHCA Senior All-Star Game.
In her four years at MSU, the Red Hawks went 72-14 overall, including a 14-5 mark in the competitive NJAC. A two-time team captain, Johnston played in 85 career games, making 68 starts. She totaled 33 goals and 21 assists which was good for 87 points while adding eight game-winning tallies. Her 87 points are seventh on the Red Hawks career-list, with her 33 goals tied for ninth all-time.

Johnston earned a Master of Science degree from Catholic in May 2018, with a capstone research project titled: What can the NCAA do to recruit and retain more female college coaches? A study to increase diversity in intercollegiate athletics. She also owns a Bachelor of Science degree from Montclair State with a major in health and physical education. Johnston holds a Level 1 USA Field Hockey coaching certificate and is a member of the Alliance of Women Coaches. In 2018, she attended the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minorities and Women's Internship grant orientation.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MAURA

"We are excited for Maura to lead the FDU field hockey program. Maura brings energy and enthusiasm to the head coach position and we are confident she will carry on the Devils' tradition of outstanding field hockey. She has a passion for the sport and her student-athletes to be successful academically, athletically, and personally." – Eileen O'Reilly, Head Field Hockey Coach at Montclair State University

"I am thrilled for Mo as she makes the transition from assistant coach to head coach. Her experience working at a variety of high level D3 institutions will certainly benefit her student-athletes. Mo will bring a focused intensity and energy to the team and she will without a doubt, carry on the legacy of field hockey at FDU. Her passion for athletics is evident and she will be an asset to any athletic department who is lucky enough to have her. I look forward to continuing to work with her as colleagues in the MAC Freedom!" – Meredith Spencer-Blaetz, Head Field Hockey Coach at the Stevens Institute of Technology

"I am beyond proud of Mo Johnston for being named the next head field hockey coach at FDU Florham. Mo was a driven athlete and positive leader during her playing career. I am confident she will serve as a tremendous role model and coach for The Devils. I can't think of anyone more deserving to lead the next generation of field hockey players at FDU as Coach Noon transitions into administration." – Beth Gottung, Former Head Field Hockey Coach at Montclair State University

"Maura is an exceptional coach with equal passion for the sport of field hockey and holistic student athlete success. She is a student of the game and will bring a constant drive for improvement and on-field success. At the same time she's genuinely interested in her athletes as people and wants to see them succeed in all facets of life. Maura is a great fit with Devils Athletics core values, and I can't wait to see her impact with the field hockey program." – Heidi Lewis, Head Field Hockey Coach, Catholic University of America

"There is little doubt that Maura is going to become an excellent head coach. For, she became an integral member of our staff immediately upon joining the department as a graduate assistant. Thanks to her unwavering commitment to her student-athletes, first rate people skills, undeniable passion for the sport, and broad knowledge of the game itself, it was evident early on that Maura's ceiling as a coach was extremely high. FDU found itself a good one; she is highly capable in so many professional ways and will quickly become an asset to the Florham campus community. All of us at Catholic wish her the very best of luck!" – Sean Sullivan, Director of Athletics, Catholic University of America