Kelly

Owner



With 17 seasons of collegiate coaching experience across Divisions I, II, and III, Kelly Terwilliger has earned a national reputation for transforming programs and the athletes who play in them. She doesn’t just coach teams — she rebuilds them, elevates them, and ignites competitive fire everywhere she goes.


In 2022, Kelly returned to Pennsylvania to take over IUP Field Hockey, immediately reshaping the program with her trademark combination of relentless standards, bold presence, and championship-level clarity. Under her leadership, IUP has surged forward with a renewed identity grounded in discipline, competitiveness, and fearless belief.

Before IUP, Kelly engineered one of the most impressive rebuilds in Division III, turning Colby College from an overlooked underdog into a nationally ranked NESCAC contender with multiple postseason appearances — a feat that demands elite coaching, elite recruiting, and elite culture work.


Kelly’s Division I résumé is equally powerful. She has coached and recruited in some of the toughest environments in college athletics, serving as:

  • Associate Head Coach — Indiana University (Big Ten)
  • Assistant Coach — Ohio State University (Big Ten)
  • Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator — Ohio University (MAC)

Her coaching tree spans All-Americans, All-Region players, All-Conference selections, future coaches, and leaders who credit her with teaching them how to compete with maturity, intensity, and purpose.


As a player, Kelly was a four-year starter and scholarship defender at Ohio State, where she never missed a game. She earned All-Big Ten honors, was named Most Valuable Defender, and helped lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance — the same toughness and competitive edge she now demands from her athletes.


She holds a B.S. in Education from Ohio State and two master’s degrees from Ohio University in Coaching Education and Sports Administration, grounding her training methods in both science and strategy.


Inducted into the East Stroudsburg High School Athletics Hall of Fame, Kelly has been a standout competitor her entire life — and she brings that same fire to every athlete she trains, from youth players to future collegiate stars.


And yes — the Big Dog Energy is real. Kelly’s Bernese Mountain Dogs, Birdie and Bear, embody the strength, loyalty, and presence she builds in her teams. They’re more than pets — they’re a vibe. A lifestyle. A reminder that you don’t have to be the loudest to be the strongest.

Kelly Terwilliger trains athletes to play bold, lead boldly, and live boldly.


If you want to be coached by someone who brings power, standards, and unstoppable belief — welcome. You’re in the right place.