Haley Hicklen

Haley Hicklen returned to Gainesville as an assistant coach ahead of the 2025 season and enters her second year on staff in 2026, working with Florida’s goalkeepers and defensive unit. A decorated Gators alumna in the cage from 2016–19, Hicklen set multiple Florida records and brings a high-performance mindset to UF’s lacrosse program. She was officially announced by head coach Amanda O’Leary on August 14, 2024, following three seasons on staff at Pittsburgh. Before rejoining Florida, Hicklen helped launch and develop Pitt’s ACC-era program, with the Panthers ranking among the league leaders in goalkeeping production. She began her collegiate coaching career as defensive coordinator and goalkeepers coach at George Washington. As a player at UF, Hicklen started 62 games, graduated as the program’s career leader in saves and ground balls, and was a one-time IWLCA All-American and three-time Tewaaraton Watch List nominee. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida in 2019. Professionally, she competed in the WPLL (winning a 2019 title with the Baltimore Brave) and participated in the 2021 Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse season, experiences that inform her coaching approach at the highest collegiate level.