University of Connecticut Athletics
Caddy Officially Named Field Hockey Head Coach
9/2/2020 11:29:00 AM | Field Hockey
STORRS, Conn. – Long-time UConn assistant field hockey coach Paul Caddy officially became the fourth head coach in program history on Wednesday.
I am very grateful to David Benedict for the opportunity to lead our program and so honored to be able to follow in the legacy that Nancy Stevens and Diane Wright have built here at UConn," said Paul Caddy.
"We have a unique opportunity here with our program. Cheri and I have been here for 20 years, we will not be rebuilding the program we will be building on what we have already established. We will continue to empower our student athletes to become the best version of themselves. Great people build great programs and great programs build great people. We are very fortunate here at UConn and in our program to be surrounded by exceptional people."
Caddy has been with the Huskies for the past 19 seasons as an assistant and associate head coach. During Caddy's tenure, the Huskies have racked up 356 wins, averaging an impressive 18 wins per season.
The Huskies have raised three national championship trophies with Caddy on the sidelines with back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014, followed by a perfect 23-0 season in 2017.
UConn has earned eight trips to the NCAA Final Four, captured 27 Big East Championships and produced 26 NFHCA First Team All-Americans during his stay in Storrs.
Focusing primarily on defense and player/team development, Caddy has had 14 players take home Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors, and has an active streak of six-straight seasons with a Husky landing the award.
I'm absolutely delighted to see UConn has secured Paul as the head coach, said current Irish National team member and two-time UConn All-American Roisin Upton. Paul is one of the best coaches in US collegiate hockey and had a huge impact on my career. Paul has been part of the golden trinity coaching staff for the most successful period in UConn Field Hockey's history. I have no doubt that the inclusive culture, the high standards and the success of the program will be continued with Paul at the helm, adding to his three and to UConn Field Hockey's five National Championships in the future. Looking forward to watching Paul lead the Huskies & wishing him all the best of luck in the coming years."
A native of England, Caddy has helped bring top international talent to Storrs, including Sophie Hamilton (England), Antonia Tiedtke (Germany), Svea Boker (Germany), Cecile Pieper (Germany), Charlotte Veitner (Germany), Anna Middendorf (Germany), Chloe Hunnable (England), Roisin Upton (Ireland), Lizzy Peijs (Holland) and Lauren Aird (Zimbabwe).
"I cannot think of a more deserving head coach to continue the UConn Field Hockey legacy than Paul Caddy, said current U.S. National team member and 2017 UConn All-American Casey Umstead. "Paul is an extremely knowledgeable and competitive coach who knows how to succeed. In addition to his winning mentality, he is a very caring person who genuinely has each player's best interest at heart. I have absolutely no doubt that the huskies will continue to excel for years to come."
Caddy has extensive experience working with USA Field Hockey. He is a USA Field Hockey High Performance coach and has assisted with the U.S. U-16 and U-18 Women's National Teams. He also served as an assistant for the senior roster during a 4 Nations Tour of New Zealand in 2013. Caddy was a selector for the 2004 U.S. Women's National Indoor Hockey Team. He holds a U.S. Level III coaching certification, the top level nationally.
"The Huskies are being left in such good hands with Paul," said current U.S. National team member and 2017 UConn All-American Karlie Heistand. "He has the most intelligent hockey mind in the game and it was an absolute privilege to be coached by him. Nancy was a legend and the only way to fill her shoes is with another legendary coach like Paul Caddy! I am so excited for Paul and can't wait to see him and his huskies succeed!"
Prior to Connecticut, Caddy was an assistant coach at Ohio State. Before that, he was an assistant coach at Quinnipiac for the 1999 season, when Quinnipiac captured the Northeast Conference Championship.
Caddy is a 1999 graduate of the University of Wales, Swansea, where he earned a bachelor's degree in American Studies. He earned his master's degree from Quinnipiac University in 2004.
While at Wales, Swansea, Caddy was a four-year field hockey sportsman, during which time Swansea was crowned champions of Wales in 1995-96 and 1996-97. In Caddy's senior season, Swansea earned silver medal honors at the European Club Championships in Hungary. Caddy received All-Wales First Team honors both his junior and senior seasons.
A native of England, Caddy currently resides in Mansfield, Conn., with his wife Kate, daughter Izzy and son Miles.
