Greenville, S.C. – Gail Wallach has been named the new head coach of the Furman women's lacrosse program, it was announced today by Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Donnelly.
Wallach becomes the fourth head coach in program history and comes to Greenville after spending the past two seasons as head coach at Anderson (S.C.) University in Anderson, S.C.
"I am honored to be named the head women's lacrosse coach at Furman University," said Wallach. "I would like to thank President Davis, Athletic Director Jason Donnelly, and the entire leadership team for entrusting me and our future staff in leading the program. It is a privilege to join a university with such an outstanding academic reputation and an athletic department that has unprecedented momentum and success.
"The Big South Conference is a highly competitive conference that is full of talented players and coaches. I am excited to be a part of it as we build relationships with our extraordinary student-athletes, serve and mentor their personal growth, and cultivate our winning culture. I want our student-athletes, their families, our alumni, and our campus community to be a part of and take pride in the program we begin building today. Go DINS," Wallach added.
Wallach has guided the Trojans to a 24-11 record over her two seasons, including a 15-3 mark this year, an appearance in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament semifinals, and the program's first-ever Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Poll Top-25 ranking. She was hired as the program's first-ever head coach in 2021 and promptly guided Anderson to a 9-8 record in 2023.
The Trojans had the league's top scoring offense in 2024 with 302 goals and sported seven all-conference performers, including the SAC Attacker of the Year, Alicia Cannon, and the SAC Freshman of the Year, Rayne Dobson. Anderson scored over 20 goals in a game seven times highlighted by a 24-1 victory over Mars Hill.
In 2023, Wallach led Anderson to a 9-8 record in its first year as a program that was highlighted a 7-3 mark at home. She coached three all-conference selections in Cannon, who was also voted the SAC Freshman of the Year, Hannah Thomas, and Jackie Tiongco. As a team, the Trojans ranked second in the SAC in clears and ninth nationally in NCAA Division II.
"We are thrilled to welcome Gail Wallach and her family to Furman as our new women's lacrosse head coach," remarked Donnelly. "Gail is an experienced, successful, and dynamic head coach who has built and led multiple programs to record-breaking success. She shares our vision for the program and our values, and we look forward to seeing the Paladin lacrosse program achieve new heights under Gail's leadership."
Wallach was hired at Anderson after also starting the University of Alabama in Huntsville program from scratch and leading the Chargers for six seasons. Under her leadership, Huntsville posted a 74-22 (.771) overall record and made an appearance in the Gulf South Conference tournament championship five times. UAH claimed the league's regular season title in 2017 and won back-to-back GSC Tournament championships in 2019 and 2021. The team posted a program-best 16-3 record in 2019 and captured its first-ever GSC Championship.
During her time at Huntsville, Wallach's teams led the nation in scoring in 2016, 2017, and 2018. She coached one Alabama Sports Writers Association Small College Athlete of the Year, three Gulf South Players of the Year, a trio of GSC Freshmen of the Year, a GSC Defensive Player of the Year, one GSC Top Ten Award winner, and 22 All-GSC performers.
Wallach began her coaching career at Emmanuel (Ga.) College and led the Lions for two seasons. She coached four all-conference selections and one All-American in 2014 after leading to the team to a 9-10 record and semifinal appearance in the National Women's Lacrosse League (NWLL) tournament.
She has also made stops in her career as head women's basketball coach at Rutgers University-Camden, Drew University, and Washington College. Wallach mentored 17 all-conference selections during her basketball coaching career.
Before taking over head coaching duties at Washington, Wallach served as an assistant coach for the women's basketball and lacrosse programs.
Wallach graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Kean University and earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix.
She was a three-sport performer at Kean and is a member of the Cougars' Hall of Fame. Wallach served as team captain on the women's lacrosse squad while earning All-NJAC honors. She was a two-time All-NJAC and ECAC selection on the hardwood and was also selected a Kodak/WBCA D-III All-American following the 1996-97 season. She is tied atop the Cougars' record book for single season scoring average and owns the school record for most made free throws in a season. Wallach also lettered in field hockey.
