Former Merrimack standout Jill Gagnon is in her first season as head coach of the Merrimack softball team.

Gagnon, a 2009 graduate of Merrimack, comes to Andover from Saint Anselm, where she is the winningest coach in school history with 316 victories in 12 seasons with a .654 winning percentage. She led the Hawks to 10 appearances in the Northeast 10 Tournament in 12 seasons.

The Manchester, NH native team's captured the NE10 Tournament championship three times (2019, 2021, 2024), as well as reaching seven NCAA Division-II Tournaments (2015, 2017-2019, 2021-22, 2024).
Gagnon's 2018 team won 44 games and finished second in the nation. Her 2019 team won 41 games and the NE10 Championship and her 2021 squad had 33 victories and won the NCAA Division II East Region for the second time in four seasons.

"We're thrilled to bring Jill back to her alma mater as our next head softball coach," Foley said. "Jill's resume speaks for itself, she has had tremendous success as a head coach. Her leadership, and deep understanding of the Merrimack culture make her uniquely qualified to guide our program. Her track record at Saint Anselm, coupled with her passion for our values and mission, aligns perfectly with where we want this program to go."

"I am very grateful and humbled to have this opportunity to come back to Merrimack where my softball journey ultimately began," Gagnon said. "I'd like to thank President Hopey, Director of Athletics Joe Foley and the entire athletics administration staff for believing in my ability to take this program to the next level.  As an alum and someone who has great passion for this community, I'm excited at the challenge that lies ahead and I can't wait to get to work with our student-athletes as we build something that our alumni, families, and the community can be proud of. It's great to be home."

Gagnon earned Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year awards in 2018 and 2021, and her staff was named the NFCA Division II East Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

She also served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Sport Administration and Camps & Clinics at Saint Anselm.

Before taking over as the head coach, Gagnon was an assistant coach of the Hawks in 2013. Prior to arriving on the Hilltop, Gagnon served as a pitching coach for UMass Boston from 2010-12 and was part of a coaching staff that led the Beacons to their first LEC Conference Tournament appearance in program history.

Gagnon played for Merrimack from 2006-09, where she was a First Team All-NE10 selection and selected to the NE10 All-Championship Team and was also named NFCA All-American East Region First Team as a senior in 2009.

Gagnon currently resides in Andover, MA.