Oregon Tabs Alumna Jessica Drummond as Next Head Coach

EUGENE, Ore. — Former Oregon lacrosse standout Jessica Drummond has been selected as the fourth head coach in program history, Oregon director of athletics Rob Mullens announced on Friday.
 
Drummond was a three-time all-conference selection as a midfielder for the Ducks from 2009-12 and helped lead Oregon to the 2012 MPSF tournament title. She becomes the first UO lacrosse alumna to hold the position of head coach.
 
“Jess has a strong commitment to providing the best possible experience for her student-athletes and a clear vision to build Oregon Lacrosse into contenders at the Pac-12 and national levels,” Mullens said. “She has a passion for the sport of lacrosse and is highly recommended by former teammates, players, supervisors and colleagues. Jess is a coach who excels at building relationships and confidence in her student-athletes and empowering them as young women, and we are so excited to welcome her back to Oregon.”
 
Drummond spent the last seven years at the University of Vermont, first as an assistant coach for three years and then serving as the Catamounts’ associate head coach for the last four seasons. Over the last five years, Drummond helped UVM compile a 40-30 record with five consecutive .500-or-better seasons.
 
“It is a dream come true to become the next head coach of the Oregon women’s lacrosse team,” Drummond said. “As a proud Duck alumna, I consider it an honor to lead a program that I hold close to my heart.
 
“The outpouring of support from current UO players, alumnae, coaches, colleagues, friends and family has been empowering, and I cannot wait to get back to Eugene. I want to thank the hiring committee, Val Johnson, Da’Mon Merkerson and Katie Harbert, as well as Rob Mullens for this opportunity. I look forward to building a fierce and competitive program that will draw national attention and make our Duck community proud.”
 
Vermont ended the 2023 campaign with its third consecutive America East tournament appearance, a program first, and an 8-8 overall record.
 
Drummond played a key leadership role in Vermont earning its first America East tournament championship in program history in 2022. The Catamounts posted a program-best 14-5 record and made their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The year before, Vermont secured its first America East playoff berth since joining the league, clinching the No. 3 seed with a 6-6 record.
 
The 2020 team posted a 4-4 overall record before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, UVM won eight games (8-7), the most victories for the program in five years.

In her seven seasons at Vermont, Drummond coached two Northeast All-Regional team players, nine America East all-conference selections, five all-tournament players and 10 members of the America East all-rookie team. Under her guidance, Grace Giancola was named the 2022 America East Championship most outstanding player. Following the 2023 season, Ava Vasile was the America East attacker of the year (2023), Carolyn Carrera earned America East defender of the year honors (2023) and Jane Trauger was the league’s rookie of the year. In 2021, Sophie McLaughlin took home America East goalkeeper of the year honors.
 
Carrera ranked No. 2 in the nation in caused turnovers per game (2.89) and No. 3 in ground balls per game (3.28) on the back end for Vermont in 2022. Under Drummond’s guidance, the Catamounts’ defense ranked No. 4 in the country in caused turnovers per game.
 
The Nashua, N.H., native went to Burlington after three seasons as an assistant coach at Dartmouth (2014-16). With the Big Green, she was the lead defensive coach and was responsible for recruiting. Drummond also organized all team travel and logistics.
 
Drummond graduated from Oregon in 2012 after a four-year playing career. During her senior year, she helped the Ducks claim the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament play-in game as part of the best season in program history with a 14-5 record.
 
Drummond left Oregon ranked fourth in program history in career draw controls (130), fifth in caused turnovers (61) and sixth in ground balls (98). She still ranks eighth in draw controls, ninth in caused turnovers and 10th in ground balls.
 
She was a three-time all Mountain Pacific Sports Federation second-team selection (2010-12) and was named to the MPSF all-tournament team in 2011 and 2012. Drummond led the Ducks with 22 caused turnovers in 2012 and in draw controls with 42 in 2010. She was voted the team’s hardest worker in both 2011 and 2012.
 
Following her senior season, Drummond served as an undergraduate assistant coach at Oregon, working with the full-time staff on daily tasks associated with practices and game management during the 2013 season.