The head coach of Lafayette College’s women’s basketball team will not return next season after nearly a decade in the position, drawing surprise and confusion from the team.
The departure of Kia Damon-Olson, who did not respond to requests for comment, was announced in a college news release on March 23. Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman wrote in an email that the news of the change was shared with the team “as a group” before the announcement and declined to comment further.
Sophomore forward Jordyn Mays said the only statement the team received was that a change in leadership was being made.
“Everybody was surprised,” Mays said. “None of us were expecting to hear that when we found out. Hopefully, we can get some closure.”
Junior guard Teresa Kiewest said the team’s reaction was a “mix of confusion and sadness.”
“I’ve been with her for three years, and she’s done so much for us,” Kiewet said. “She’s the reason we’re here getting a Lafayette education.”
Damon-Olson took over the team in 2017 after 19 years as an assistant coach across multiple Division I programs, and accumulated an all-time record of 92-161 and 56-100 in Patriot League competition at Lafayette. Under her tenure, the Leopards notched 10 All-Patriot League team selections and made the Patriot League tournament quarterfinals six times, although never advanced to the semifinals.
Her final season saw the Leopards finish 11-19 overall, culminating in a 65-57 quarterfinals loss to Army.
“Over the past couple of years, I’ve grown to understand both her coaching and her as a person,” Kiewet said. “We’ve developed a mutual trust between the two of us, and that’s not something you always come by.”
The team’s assistant coaches remain on staff, continuing to work with the team and aid in the transition to a new head coach.
“The assistant coaches are still available for us, whether we want to talk to someone, get a workout in, or just hang out in their office,” Mays said. “They are trying to keep things feeling normal, even with all the uncertainty right now.”
A national search for the program’s next head coach is currently in progress.
“The team as a whole is grateful for everything she’s done during our time here and over the past nine years, and we wish her the best,” Kiewet said.