Pittsburgh, Pa. – Duquesne University head women's lacrosse coach
Tracy Coyne has announced the hiring of Elizabeth Gainer as an assistant coach.
Gainer joins the Dukes following four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Tampa. She brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience to Duquesne, including three seasons as the head coach at Division I Manhattan College and additional head coaching stops at the University of Charleston, Eastern University and Holy Family University.
"We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth to the Duquesne lacrosse program.
It's exciting to have a person with her extensive coaching experience, proven leadership skills and an elite level lacrosse mind joining the staff. Elizabeth's passion for the game and dedication to player development will be key as we work together to rebuild Dukes' lacrosse into a competitive A10 team.
Elizabeth and I have a shared commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience by fully utilizing all the available resources Duquesne offers, along with creating a positive team culture that fully embraces the values of Duquesne University," said Coyne.
Gainer began her collegiate coaching career as an assistant at La Salle and Villanova before earning her first head coaching opportunity at Holy Family in 2011. In two seasons with the Tigers, she guided the program to a pair of Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championships and 27 wins after taking over a team that had won seven games the previous season.
She then moved to Manhattan, leading the Jaspers from 2014-16. Gainer continued her head coaching career at the University of Charleston, guiding the second-year program from 2017-19, before spending three seasons at the helm of Eastern University.
Gainer joined Tampa for the 2023 campaign and spent four seasons on the Spartans' coaching staff. During her time in Florida, she also served as the director of girls lacrosse at True Lacrosse.
A native of Moorestown, New Jersey, Gainer played Division I lacrosse at Loyola University Maryland, where she lettered all four seasons for the Greyhounds. She appeared in 54 career games, recording 37 goals and eight assists.
Gainer earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a concentration in advertising and public relations from Loyola (Md.) in 2009. She later earned a master's degree in sports management from Neumann University.
"Elizabeth is the kind of coach who makes people and programs better. Her passion and energy are contagious and her ability to connect, build trust and bring out the best in student-athletes is what truly sets her apart. She has already made an incredible impact and been so successful in this profession. I'm proud to watch her continue to grow, lead and leave her mark on the game at Duquesne working along side the legendary
Tracy Coyne."
Jen Adams
Head Coach, Loyola University Maryland
World Lacrosse Legend Award Recipient, 2026
"Coaching Elizabeth was such a special experience. She brought an incredible level of passion, competitiveness and commitment to our program every single day, but what stood out most was how much she cared about her teammates and the people around her. I know she'll bring that same passion, energy and investment to the athletes she now gets to coach. Any program is lucky to have Elizabeth on its sideline, because we know firsthand just how lucky we were to have the opportunity to coach her."
Dana Dobbie
Assistant Coach, Loyola University Maryland
Assistant Coach, Team Canada World Lacrosse Championships, 2026
"Elizabeth Gainer has been a difference-maker at the University of Tampa. Her leadership, passion, and ability to develop student-athletes had a strong impact on our program. Duquesne is getting a great coach and an even better leader. I have no doubt Elizabeth will elevate the Dukes, and I couldn't be more excited to see what she accomplishes there."
Kelly Gallagher
Head Coach, University of Tampa
2x National Champion
IWLCA Current Past President
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