WAYNE, N.J. – After a 40-year career as one of the nation's most accomplished Division III softball head coaches, including the last 25 seasons in the William Paterson dugout, Hallie Cohen has announced her retirement effective Feb. 1, 2020. WP assistant coach John McClain will serve as the interim head coach for the Pioneers' 2020 spring season, and the University will launch in May a national search for its new head softball coach.
 
Cohen, who finishes her career ranked 10th all time in Division III softball coaching victories (855-503-5), has produced an impressive list of accomplishments at WP since her arrival in 1995. She is the school's all-time leader in victories (660-348-4), guided William Paterson to four New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament championships, and secured two NCAA Tournament East Regional titles to advance to the Championship Finals as one of the country's top eight teams.
 
A four-time NJAC Coach of the Year, she led the Pioneers to seven 30-win seasons, nine NCAA Tournament berths and 18 NJAC Tournament appearances while mentoring eight all-Americans.
 
"It has been a privilege and an honor to have been the head softball coach at William Paterson for the last 25 years," Cohen said. "I have had the incredible opportunity to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, administrators, assistant coaches and support staff. It has been amazing to see my student-athletes blossom and grow throughout their time here, and to be able to follow their lives after they graduate.
 
"I want to thank each and every person who has had a hand in making this Pioneer softball program a success," she continued. "We have worked extremely hard to create a winning culture and to bring conference, regional and national recognition to this program year after year, and no individual can do this alone. I want to personally thank President Helldobler and Vice President Cammarata for their vision and support for Athletics, and Athletic Director Sabrina Grant and Associate Athletic Director Kristen Foley for their guidance, wisdom and things they have taught me along the way. It is extremely tough to leave something you feel so passionate about, but I know it is the right time for me to retire and pass the torch onto the next coach who will be lucky enough to be part of something very special."

As successful as they've been on the field, Cohen's student-athletes have been just as impressive in the classroom. Her softball players earned six College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) academic all-district awards, while 39 student-athletes earned spots on the Academic All-NJAC Team and 33 were named NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes.
 
"Hallie has built a tradition of success as the head coach of the Pioneer softball program," Grant stated. "Under her tutelage, the program has become a perennial power, garnering national recognition for William Paterson.
 
"While Hallie's success can certainly be measured by wins and titles, what is even more admirable is the impact she has had on the student-athletes who have played for her," Grant continued. "A first-class individual whose name is synonymous with William Paterson softball, I wish Hallie the best life has to offer as she embarks on the next chapter."

Cohen also coached the Pioneer field hockey program for nine years and owns more than 200 career field hockey victories during 24 seasons overall. She guided WP to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2000, and oversaw the 2003 squad that earned the program's first postseason victory while advancing to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament final.
 
Prior to her arrival at William Paterson, Cohen posted a 195-155-1 record in softball (1980-94) and a 117-96-6 mark in field hockey (1979-94) at FDU-Florham, leading the Devils to NCAA Field Hockey Tournament berths in 1984 and 1986. For her efforts, she was inducted into the institution's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.
 
A graduate of Wayne Valley High School and a member of its Hall of Fame, Cohen was a scholarship athlete in both softball and field hockey at Rutgers University, enjoying standout careers in each before earning her bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 1980. 

Hallie Cohen's Softball Highlights

• 855-503-5 record during 40 seasons overall (10th all time in Division III victories; 1980-2019)
• 660-348-4 record during 25 seasons at William Paterson (1995-2019)
• Two NCAA Tournament Championship Finals appearances (final eight teams nationally)
• Nine NCAA Tournament berths
• Four New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament titles
• Eighteen NJAC Tournament appearances
• Seven 30-win seasons
• Four NJAC Coach of the Year awards
• Eight all-Americans
• Thirty National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) all-region selections
• Ten NJAC specialty awards (five Players of the Year, four Rookies of the Year, one Pitcher of the Year)
• Thirty-nine all-NJAC honorees
• Four players and one team inducted into the WP Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame
• 195-155-1 record during 15 seasons at FDU-Florham (1980-94)

 
Hallie Cohen's Field Hockey Highlights

• 214-158-6 record during 24 seasons overall (1979-2003)
• 97-62 record during nine seasons at William Paterson (1995-2003)
• One NCAA Tournament appearance
• One ECAC Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament final
• Four all-Americans
• Ten National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) all-region selections
• Five NJAC specialty awards (three Rookies of the Year, one Offensive Player of the Year, one Defender of the Year)
• Thirteen all-NJAC honorees
• Two players inducted into the WP Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame
• 117-96-6 record and two NCAA Tournament berths during 15 seasons at FDU-Florham (1979-84)