Holly Daigle was officially named the head coach of the Winthrop High field hockey program this week, a move confirmed by athletic director Joel Stoneton. The hiring marks a swift transition for Daigle, who leaves a storied tenure at Cony High after more than a decade of leadership.
Daigle’s Coaching Legacy
Daigle’s appointment follows a glittering run at Cony, where she compiled a 139‑91‑12 record and captured the Class B North championship in 2023, the program’s first regional title in 28 years. The victory earned her three Kennebec Journal Coach of the Year awards and the 2023 Varsity Maine Coach of the Year honor.
Her departure from Cony was announced last month, prompting the school to begin a search for a successor. Daigle stepped down after guiding the team through a period of sustained excellence, a legacy that includes multiple championship appearances and a reputation for developing competitive, disciplined squads.
At Winthrop, Daigle inherits a program that operates as a co‑op with Maranacook Community High School. The Ramblers finished the previous season 11‑6, falling just short in the Class C South final with a 1‑0 loss to Spruce Mountain. The team’s recent success under former coach Melissa Perkins, who posted a 44‑9 record and secured back‑to‑back Class C titles in 2023 and 2024, sets a high bar for the new coach.
The hiring comes as Cony prepares to appoint Jenny Evans, formerly a three‑year starter at NCAA Division II American International College and a Division I assistant at Holy Cross, as its next field hockey coach. Evans’s hiring awaits approval from the Augusta School Board, signaling a potential shift in the program’s direction.
Meanwhile, Skowhegan’s head coaching position remains vacant after Paula Doughty, the winningest coach in state history, decided not to return. Doughty’s departure leaves a significant gap, given her extensive record of championships and contributions to the sport across Maine.
The ripple effects of these coaching changes reflect a dynamic period for high school field hockey in the region, as schools balance tradition with new leadership. Fans and players alike will be watching closely as Daigle begins to shape the Ramblers’ strategy and as Cony and Skowhegan navigate their own transitional challenges.