Chelsea Hoffmann - Women's Lacrosse Coach - University of Oregon Athletics

Chelsea Hoffmann

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
crgamble@uoregon.edu

Chelsea Hoffmann - previously Chelsea Gamble - was named the third head coach in Oregon lacrosse history on August 1, 2018, after a highly successful four-year stint as an assistant coach at Pac-12 rival Stanford.

In her fourth season leading the team, Hoffmann led Oregon to a historic 14-10 win over Colorado in the opening round of the Pac-12 Tournament. It was the first win over the Buffaloes in school history and the second-ever win in the Pac-12 Tournament. The Ducks finished the season with a 4-14 record and a 1-9 mark in Pac-12 games. UO improved all over the field, scoring two more goals per game while grabbing

Hoffmann developed attacker Hanna Hilcoff as she became the program’s second two-time All-Pac-12 honoree after scoring 44 goals and becoming the fastest player in school history to score 100 career goals. She also coached midfielder Morgan McCarthy to second-team All-Pac-12 honors, the first midfielder in school history to make the conference team.

In her third season at the helm of the program, Hoffmann led the Ducks to a 3-9 overall record and 2-4 mark in Pac-12 play. The Ducks showed several signs of progress in a season sweep of California and a near-win when hosting #17 Stanford.

Hoffman coached Hanna Hilcoff to All-Pac-12 second team honors as Hilcoff became the fastest Duck to score 50 career goals. Alle Dunbar ranked eighth in single-season saves with 118 stops on the year. A pair of freshmen – Morgan McCarthy and Nakeeya McCardell – also stepped up to lead Oregon in the midfield. Hoffmann coached the duo to a combined 28 goals, 25 caused turnovers and 46 ground balls.

In her first season as a head coach in 2019, Hoffmann led the Ducks to a 3-15 overall record. The Ducks got off to a 2-5 start in Hoffmann’s second season and were coming off a 20-goal performance in a win over Fresno State when the 2020 season came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoffmann installed a new offense less than 48 hours before the game vs. the Bulldogs, and the result was a 12-goal first half and 12 total goals from Hilcoff and sophmore Shonly Wallace. Hilcoff (22) and Wallace (20) were the only duo in the Pac-12 to each score at least 20 goals in the shortened 2020 campaign.

Before Oregon, as the offensive coordinator for the Cardinal from 2015 to 2018, Hoffmann helped lead Stanford to a pair of conference championships, including the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament title in 2018, and three NCAA appearances. Stanford had reached the NCAA Tournament just five times prior to Hoffmann’s arrival.

Under Hoffmann’s guidance, the Cardinal offense led the Pac-12 in points per game (21.25), goals per game (15.15) and assists per game (6.10) in 2018, while also pacing the league in ground balls (21.55) and draw controls per game (15.00). Nationally, Stanford tied for 14th in goals per game and was 10th in scoring margin (5.75). The Cardinal also thrived academically in 2018, leading the nation with 10 student-athletes on the IWLCA academic honor roll.

The Stanford offense ranked among the top 15 in the nation in scoring every year under Hoffmann’s direction, highlighted by a 2015 season that saw Hoffmann orchestrate the nation’s top scoring offense (16.00 goals per game) as 11 Cardinal scored 10 or more goals. Stanford also led the nation in draw controls that year (15.28 per game) en route to a perfect 9-0 conference record, an MPSF Conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Hoffmann arrived at Stanford from Connecticut, where she was an assistant the previous three seasons (2012-14). The Huskies enjoyed unprecedented success during her tenure, setting consecutive school records for victories in 2012 and 2013 and advancing to the program’s first NCAA Tournament in 2013.

As a freshman midfielder at George Mason, Hoffmann played under current Stanford head coach Amy Bokker and was named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie team. Hoffmann was named captain as a sophomore and held that post for three seasons, earning All-CAA honors along the way.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CHELSEA HOFFMANN (GAMBLE):

Amy Bokker – Ohio State Women's Lacrosse Head Coach (formerly Stanford Head Coach)
"I'm thrilled for Chelsea and the University of Oregon! Becoming a head coach is something she's prepared for and she has all the tools to put Oregon on the path to be a great program. Chelsea does an amazing job connecting with student-athletes and puts their experience and development at the forefront. She has been such a loyal friend and coach. I'm so happy for her to stay in the Pac-12 and help grow our conference into the best league in the nation."

Katie Woods – UConn Women's Lacrosse Head Coach
"Chelsea is a perfect fit for Oregon. I think her time at Stanford has put her in a position to excel in her first head coaching job. She has the right energy, personality, passion and knowledge to take Oregon where it wants to go."

Amanda O'Leary – Florida Women's Lacrosse Head Coach
"Chelsea is a tremendous addition to the University of Oregon! Her knowledge of the Pac-12 will certainly allow Oregon to continue as a conference and national competitor. Since my daughter Madison had the opportunity to play for Chelsea at Stanford, I know firsthand the profound impact she had on her as a player, but more importantly as person."

Shannon Williams – Oregon Senior Attacker
"After talking with coach Gamble, I am really excited to have her leading our program. She's experienced within the Pac-12 and knows our conference really well. I think she will be able to connect with players and create a culture of family, competition and success within Oregon lacrosse."