Jason Klinkradt Named Head Field Hockey Coach
4/6/2026 3:30:00 PM | Field Hockey, Athletics
HANOVER, N.H. — Mike Harrity, Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, announced today the hiring of Jason Klinkradt as head coach of the Dartmouth field hockey program.
| WHAT THEY'RE SAYING |
| "Congratulations to Jason and Dartmouth College as I believe in a great partnership in the making. I have been fortunate to coach with Jason at the University of Delaware and it was clear from the start that his passion for people, knowledge of the game and energy as a person allowed him to be an amazing coach and asset to a program regardless of the institution. His coaching and analytical qualities were strong contributors for our team to be competitive and improve throughout the 2024 season, winning the CAA Championship, returning to the NCAA Tournament, and allowing our players to stay healthy from a load management perspective. I am super excited for him and his family to have the opportunity to start his head coaching journey at Dartmouth." — Rolf van de Kerkhof, Former Head Coach, University of Delaware Field Hockey 2016 NCAA National Champion |
| "I'm thrilled and proud for Jason to get this opportunity for himself and his young family! He fully deserves it, and based on his experience, he is well prepared. I have full confidence that he is ready to be an NCAA Division I Head Coach. He has worked extremely hard here at ODU. He is driven and determined and he has made an impact here in a short period of time. On behalf of our entire team, staff and families, I want to thank him, and I wish him the best of success. I know he's excited about the opportunity in front of him at Dartmouth!" — Andrew Griffiths, Head Coach, Old Dominion University Field Hockey |
| "I've truly valued the opportunity to work with Jason at Delaware, where he consistently demonstrated a thoughtful, student-athlete centered approach paired with a high-level understanding of the game. He brings a unique combination of passion, intelligence, and global perspective, and his ability to connect meaningfully with student-athletes while maintaining a sharp, strategic mindset truly sets him apart. Dartmouth is gaining an exceptional coach who will elevate the culture and compete at the highest level." — Chelsey Burk, Chief Operating Officer / Senior Woman Administrator Sport Administrator – Field Hockey, University of Delaware |
| "Jason is a fantastic hire for Dartmouth Field Hockey. He understands what it takes to build a championship culture while developing student-athletes at the highest level. His vision, energy, and commitment to excellence make him a tremendous addition to Dartmouth Athletics. I am excited to welcome Jason to the Ivy league and know Jason will build the Dartmouth Field hockey program to become a strong and competitive program in the years to come." — Tjerk van Heerwaarden, Head Coach, Harvard University Field Hockey |
"Jason's command of the game, demonstrated effectiveness in building culture, and belief that elite competition and academic excellence are complementary make him an ideal fit for Dartmouth," Harrity said. "We are excited to welcome Jason, his wife Taylor, and their daughter Sky to Hanover and can't wait for him to get started."
"I am honored to lead this outstanding group of student‑athletes," said Klinkradt. "The tradition, academic excellence, and competitive spirit of Dartmouth make this a truly special opportunity. I look forward to building a program that reflects the best of Dartmouth field hockey — disciplined, resilient, and united."
A global contributor to the sport, Klinkradt ("KLINK-ratt") has coached field hockey on three continents and has led teams through more than 1,000 competitive matches across school, collegiate, national, and international competitions. He has helped develop multiple Olympians and advanced cutting‑edge approaches to match preparation and performance optimization.
Klinkradt joins the program with three years of NCAA Division I coaching experience, having most recently served as an assistant coach at Old Dominion. Prior to his tenure at Old Dominion, he spent a season at the University of Delaware, where he held positions as both assistant coach and interim head coach. During his time at Delaware, he played an integral role in guiding the program to a CAA Championship and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Previously, he served as assistant coach and technical director at James Madison University.
His experience within these programs has shaped a coaching approach grounded in technical excellence, competitive toughness, and the development of student‑athletes.
Before moving to the United States, Klinkradt spent nine years as a field hockey head coach for YMCA Club Dublin and was an assistant coach of Ireland's Senior Men's team. He also served as a support coach for Ireland's Senior Women's Team and was the lead performance analyst for the Ireland Men's National Team.
Klinkradt is originally from East London, South Africa, and holds a Master of Science degree in Sport Performance analysis from the Institute of Technology, Carlow in Carlow, Ireland.
