Coaching News: Arcadia's Jackie Hartzell named head coach at D1 Rider
Hartzell went 54-26 in three seasons at D3 Arcadia
For the second time in this year’s coaching cycle, a Division I program has turned to a D-III head coach as the focus shifts to the future.
On Thursday morning, Arcadia’s Jackie Hartzell was announced as Rider’s next head coach, taking over a program seeking its first winning season since 2019-20. Hartzell spent the last three seasons at Arcadia, going 54-26, highlighted by Co-Coach of the Year honors in the MAC Freedom this past season.
"The preference going into the search was to attract someone that had successful head coaching experience and strong recruiting ties to the region," said Rider Athletic Director Don Harnum in a press release. "After speaking to numerous individuals with strong knowledge in women's basketball coaching circles and interviewing several impressive candidates, I am confident we found what we were looking for in Jackie Hartzell.
“She has a proven track record of supporting student-athlete development, both academically and athletically, while creating a positive environment that produces winning results."
Hartzell inherited an Arcadia program that went 7-17 the year prior to her arrival, turning the Knights around in a 15-12 campaign in 2021-22. Then in 2022-23, Arcadia went to the MACF championship game for the first time in program history with a semifinal win over Lebanon Valley, going 22-5. It marked Arcadia’s first-ever 20-win season, and the Knights followed that up with a 17-9 record in 2024-25.
"I am honored and humbled to be named the head coach at Rider University," said Hartzell in a release. "I want to thank President Dell'Omo, Athletic Director Don Harnum, and Senior Women's Administrator Karin Torchia for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. I look forward to this new and exciting challenge and I can't wait to get started."
Hartzell is also a D3 alum herself, having played four seasons at Delaware Valley University. She remains in the DVU record books for single-season 3-point percentage, having made 40.3% of her shots from beyond the arc in 2003-04, the seventh-most in a season in program history.
Hartzell joins McMurry’s Drew Long as D-III coaches to make the direct jump to D-I this offseason. Once she officially makes her debut at Rider in 2025-26, Hartzell will have head coached a game in all three divisions of the NCAA—D3 at Arcadia, D2 at University of the Sciences, and D1 at Rider. She becomes Rider’s 20th head coach and the program’s sixth in its Division I era.
» Link to press release from Rider
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