KEENE, N.H.--The Keene State College Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce the hiring of Haley Chandler '13 as the next coach of the KSC softball program.

"I am overjoyed to announce the hiring of Haley as the next head softball coach at Keene State College. Haley is a fierce competitor, a winner and knows what it takes to be successful as a student-athlete at KSC!" said Director of Athletics Marty Testo.

"I had the pleasure of watching Haley play as a member of the KSC softball team and witnessed first-hand her desire to be a great player and teammate. She will be a tremendous resource for our current players as a coach and mentor in life."

Chandler comes back to Keene State after serving as the head softball coach at Salem High School (N.H.) since 2019.   A two-time NHIAA Division I Coach of the Year (2021, 2024), Chandler led the Blue Devils to the Division I state title in 2021 with a 5-1 win over Concord High School.  She compiled a 72-18 record in the Salem dugout and reached the semifinals of the tournament on two other occasions.  Thirteen of her players went on to play at the collegiate level.

"I'm incredibly thankful for this opportunity to coach the program that helped mold me," said Chandler. 

"Thank you to the KSC Athletic Department and thank you to my family and friends for their unwavering support during my coaching career. It feels good to be back and I'm excited to get to work! Go Owls!"

Chandler played at Keene State from 2009-2012, earning Second Team All-LEC honors in 2009 and 2011, and First Team All-LEC in 2010 and 2012.  The Owls won the ECAC Championship in each of her first three seasons, and in her senior year, Keene State received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III tournament where they advanced to the regional championship game, falling two wins shy of the programs' first ever trip to the NCAA Division III Softball World Series.

Chandler's name is still all over the Keene State record books, holding the school record for hits (214), games played and games started (170), most career at-bats (569), most runs scored (165), and putouts (806), while also ranking in the top 10 in school history in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, doubles, home runs, RBI, walks, stolen bases, and defensive chances.

She also holds the single-season record for games played and started in a season.

Chandler will begin her duties in August.