Dartmouth College has begun a search for a new softball skipper, as the college announced the resignation of head coach Jen Williams on Tuesday.
This spring, the team finished 10-23 overall and 7-13 in conference play. That marked the program’s lowest overall win total in 20 years. And it was the program’s worst Ivy League record since 2012, when the team also finished 7-13.
“It’s time for a change, and though it’s been a difficult decision, I know it’s the right one for me and Dartmouth softball,” Williams said in a news release from the college.
Williams took over for Shannon Doepking, who was Ivy League coach of the year in her final season with the Big Green in 2018, when Dartmouth finished first in the Ivy League. Doepking left for Syracuse.
The program Williams inherited finished either first or second in the Ivy League in 11 of 12 season from 2007-2018.
After her first season in 2019, when the team finished 13-27 overall and in fourth place in the league, Williams saw her tenure disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The team had up and down records after normal play resumed in 2022.
The highlight of Williams’ tenure was in 2024 when the Big Green made the program’s first Ivy League Tournament appearance and finished 18-17 overall and 13-7 in conference play.
The Big Green finished 17-21 overall and 10-11 in the Ivy League in 2025.
She finished her tenure with the Big Green 99-145 overall and 62-62 in the Ivy League.
“We are deeply grateful to Jen for her investment and dedication to our softball program,” Dartmouth’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, Mike Harrity, said in the news release.
He added: “We understand and respect her decision and wish her our very best.”
