PROVIDENCE, R.I. – JWU (Providence) Director of Athletics Dana Garfield has announced the hiring of Amanda Deshaies as women's lacrosse head coach.

Deshaies spent the past four seasons at the helm of the Husson University women's lacrosse program, guiding them to a 35-26 record (.688 winning pct.) and a pair of North Athletic Conference (NAC) Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances (2025-26).

"I am incredibly excited and honored to join Johnson & Wales University and lead the women's lacrosse program," said Deshaies, who also served as Husson's compliance coordinator. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Dana Garfield and Assistant Athletic Director Lonnie Morris for the opportunity and for their belief in me. I'm excited to get to work with this team, build a strong culture, and help our student-athletes reach their full potential both on and off the field. Our expectation is to consistently compete for CNE championships and establish a program that contends at the highest level year after year. I'm looking forward to getting started and building something special together."

The 2023 NAC Coach of the Year produced one NAC Player of the Year, three NAC Rookie of the Year recipients, three NAC Defensive Player of the Year honorees, and one NAC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year while in Bangor. The Eagles posted a 20-5 mark in conference play (.800 winning pct.) under Deshaies' tutelage.

"We're elated that Amanda has chosen to join Johnson & Wales University," said Garfield. "She had a great deal of success during her time at Husson and feel that she will be a great fit here in Providence. Our women's lacrosse program experienced a very successful first year in the Conference of New England last spring and I look forward to its continued growth under Amanda."

Deshaies began her collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Husson (2018-22) working with the attack and goalkeepers. Concurrently, she helped start the varsity women's lacrosse program at nearby Bangor High School.

Deshaies earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Husson in 2018 and her Master of Business Administration two years later. A four-year member of the Eagles women's lacrosse program, Deshaies was a three-time NAC All-Conference selection and graduated as the program's all-time leader in goals, points, and ground balls.