Rider University Director of Athletics Don Harnum has announced the hiring of Jackie Hartzell as the next head coach of the women’s basketball program in April of 2025. Hartzell becomes the 20th head coach in the history of the program and sixth in the Division I era.
“I am honored and humbled to be named the head coach at Rider University,” said Hartzell. “I want to thank President Dell'Omo, Athletic Director Don Harnum, and Senior Women’s Administrator Karin Torchia for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. I look forward to this new and exciting challenge and I can't wait to get started.”
Hartzell comes to Rider from Arcadia University, where she produced an instant turnaround, posting a 54-26 (.675) record over three seasons with a 28-16 (.636) conference mark, and was named the MAC Coach of the Year following the 2024-25 season. In her first season, Hartzell led the women's basketball team to their first MAC postseason victory in program history. In her second season at the helm of the program, Hartzell set a program record for wins and guided the Knights to the team’s first-ever appearance in the conference championship game.
Her time at Arcadia came after a successful eight-season run as head coach at University of the Sciences, where she compiled a 185-57 (.765) record, going 123-28 (.815) against conference opponents, won three CACC Championships, made five NCAA Tournament appearances, and earned five NCAA Division II Tournament victories, highlighted by a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2018.
"The preference going into the search was to attract someone that had successful head coaching experience and strong recruiting ties to the region,” said Harnum. “After speaking to numerous individuals with strong knowledge in women's basketball coaching circles and interviewing several impressive candidates, I am confident we found what we were looking for in Jackie Hartzell. She has a proven track record of supporting student-athlete development, both academically and athletically, while creating a positive environment that produces winning results."
A four-time CACC Coach of the Year, Hartzell was selected as the HERO Sports Women’s Basketball Division II National Coach of the Year following the 2017-18 season and the NCAA East Region Coach of the Year in 2019. Locally, she was selected as the Philadelphia Coaches Conference Collegiate Coach of the Year in 2017 and the City of Basketball Love Coach of the Year in 2022.
Hartzell’s athletes have benefitted from her success with junior Delaney Bell becoming the first player in Arcadia program history to be named MAC Freedom Player of the Year following the 2024-25 season. While at USciences, Hartzell’s team was the NCAA Statistical Champion for scoring defense, holding opponents to just 49.8 points per game for the season.
Additionally, Hartzell’s teams have been equally honored off the court, finishing as a WBCA Academic Top 25 Team for six-straight seasons during her tenure at USciences.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JACKIE HARTZELL
Denise Dillon – Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Villanova University
“Great hire by Rider! Jackie is a proven winner, whose dedication to player growth and development translates to success. With her leadership, she and her staff will recruit fierce competitors ready to make an immediate impact in the MAAC."
Mike McLaughlin – Head Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of Pennsylvania
“Jackie Hartzell brings a wealth of head coaching experience and a proven track record of success with her to Rider University. With her strong knowledge of the game combined with her competitive drive, Jackie is the perfect person to lead their women’s basketball program. Looking forward to seeing Jackie excel in this new role! Amazing hire for Rider!”
Amy Mallon - Head Women's Basketball Coach at Drexel University
"I am so excited for Jackie to lead the Rider program. She has certainly has proven to be a winner on and off the court. Jackie’s attention to detail and ability to grow student-athletes to be the best they can be is a key to her overall success. This opportunity is well deserved and I wish her the best of luck on this next step in her basketball journey."
Tom Shirley - Head Women's Basketball Coach at Jefferson University
"I have known Coach Hartzell and competed against her for the past 20 years. She is one of the finest coaches in the sport, always fielding a quality team. Her recruiting and feel for the game are second to none and she will be a terrific role model for current and future members of the Rider women's basketball team. Jackie Hartzell is an outstanding choice."
Dave Pauley - Former Head Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Sciences
"The game comes easy to Jackie. She is a leader, role model, and a true caretaker of the game who puts student-athletes first. Rider is getting a good one!"
