Gilman School has announced the appointment of Laura Coffman at its new varsity water polo head coach, replacing Jody Driscol, who has stepped aside but will remain with the team in the role of associate head coach, beginning with the fall 2008 season.
Coffman is making history as the first female varsity head coach at Gilman, but it is not personal history for her. She broke that barrier as a member of the men’s water polo team at the University of Illinois, where she also earned a BS in biolog and a MS in biological sciences. She also competed in the US Olympic Festival, on the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team and the U.S. Women’s National B Team.
Her coaching career includes stints as the girls head water polo coach with the Latin School of Chicago and the York Community High School in Elmhurst, IL. She has also been the Chicago Apostles Club team head coach, an assistant coach for the San Diego Shores Club (CA) and the Windy City Club in Chicago. Nationally, she served as an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s National Youth team in 1996-97.
Driscoll, who has been Gilman’s head coach since 2004, will remain in his primary role as Aquatics Director at Gilman. His best year came last fall when his Greyhounds upset McDonogh in the regular season finale to reach the MIAA playoffs, where they were eliminated by perennial super power Calvert Hall, in the semifinals.
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