A New Era for Wittenberg Women’s Lacrosse

Gillian Maffit — April 13, 2026

In July of 2025, Daniel Shields was named head coach of Wittenberg University’s Women’s Lacrosse program, signaling a shift toward long-term rebuilding. His hiring reflected not only deep familiarity with the institution but also a strong personal connection to the women’s game.

After seven years as an assistant coach with the Wittenberg men’s team, the opportunity emerged unexpectedly. Shields described the hiring process as “right place, right time.”

With various colleagues recommending him to the athletic director and encouraging him to apply, he decided to take on the new role.

For Shields, who played college lacrosse at Mount Olive, the decision to move from the men’s program to the women’s program was rooted in his upbringing.

“I grew up in a lacrosse family,” Shields said. “My mom was a women’s lacrosse coach for over 30 years… so when the opportunity presented itself, it just seemed like a really good fit.”

After working with Wittenberg’s players, Shields noticed that the women’s game required a more intentional and individualized approach compared to the men’s game.

The Australian native said his team wants to understand the reasoning behind each drill, which has led him to emphasize precise and more transparent communication.

Since stepping into the position, Shields has made it a priority to rebuild team culture, elevate the player experience, and help athletes reconnect with their passion for the game.

One way he is rebuilding the team culture is through consistent team bonding, creating an environment where players hold each other accountable and work hard for one another.

With the program searching for its first winning season since 2016–2017, an emphasis has also been placed on developing skills, instilling a competitive edge, and ensuring the game remains both fun and meaningful.

At the heart of it all is culture, which continues to drive Shields’ leadership. That culture carries onto the field, where chemistry and team-first play are prioritized over individual success.

“My biggest thing is I want to provide a great experience for the girls,” he said. “You come to Division III to have a great balance between athletics and academics.”

Looking ahead, Shields envisions steady progress within a competitive North Coast Athletic Conference. Within three years, he hopes the team will be “in the middle, trending towards the top of the conference.”

For that to happen, Shields identified recruiting as essential — especially with 12 of the team’s 21 players this year being seniors.

As the program looks toward future growth, the first-year head coach encouraged athletes eager to make an impact to pursue opportunities with the program.

“This is a place where you can build something and change the trajectory of a program.”