HAMDEN—Former Quinnipiac University head softball coach Hillary Smith has been named the next head coach at Dartmouth College, according to a report from D1Softball.com.
Neither school has officially reported the change yet, but multiple sources close to Smith and the QU program have confirmed Smith is making the move.
Smith departs Quinnipiac after eight seasons leading the Bobcats. She compiled a 122-229 overall record but guided the program to a breakthrough campaign in 2026.
Quinnipiac finished 24-21, posting its first winning season since 2012 while setting a program record with 16 regular season victories. The Bobcats also won three consecutive postseason games for the first time in school history.
Smith, and her husband Horace, also recently started the CT Tribe travel program, which has grown a lot over the last two summer seasons.
There is no word on what will become of the program with Smith’s relocation to New Hampshire.
The move affects five Connecticute-based players on the Bobcats roster, including rising senior Jaelyn Gonzalez (Newington), rising juniors Aryn Bombery (Naugatuck), Madison Waltke (Norwich Free Academy) and Mia Rubirosa (West Haven), rising sophomore Griffin Palladino (Fairfield Warde).
Kylie Lucia, a recent graduate of Trumbull High, is entering QU as a freshman this fall, and said her plan is still play for the Bobcats.
“I’m going to stay and give the new staff a chance,” Lucia told the CT Softball Blog. “I chose the school because of the education and location. I truly love the school as much as the softball. I’m still excited.”
Before taking over at Quinnipiac, Smith served as an assistant coach at Florida International for two seasons following a four-year stint at Central Florida.
During her time with the Knights, UCF captured consecutive regular season conference championships and won the conference tournament in 2015. The coaching staff also earned conference Coaching Staff of the Year honors in both 2014 and 2015.
Quinnipiac is expected to begin a search for its next head coach immediately.
Neither Smith, Quinnipiac officials or Dartmouth returned calls or emails for comment.
(This story will be updated)
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