Johnson enters her fifth season as the head coach of the Ball State field hockey program, continuing to rebuild the team's legacy while driving sustained organizational growth.

Since taking the helm, Johnson has revitalized the program by instilling high standards and a competitive culture. Her leadership has already yielded significant milestones, including guiding the Cardinals to Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament appearances and securing back-to-back seven-win seasons—a statistical feat Ball State had not accomplished in over a decade. Under her mentorship, standout student-athletes have garnered conference acclaim, highlighted by Michaela Graney earning the title of 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Johnson instantly made an impact during her 2022 debut season, leading the Cardinals to their first MAC Tournament berth since 2019 and their strongest conference performance since 2006. That foundational year saw freshman Fleur Knopert capture First Team All-MAC honors, while Kerrianne McClay and Hannah Johnston earned spots on the All-MAC Tournament Team.

Prior to building her legacy in Muncie, Johnson spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Kent State. During her tenure, the Golden Flashes accumulated a stellar 34-18 record (20-5 in MAC play) and captured regular-season conference championships in 2019 and 2021. At Kent State, she was instrumental in developing four NFHCA All-Region honorees, 15 All-MAC selections, and dozens of elite academic performers—including 50 National Academic Squad members and six MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.

Her coaching pedigree also includes three seasons as an assistant coach at Davidson College, a year as an assistant athletic-academic advisor at Old Dominion University, and club coaching experience with Focus Field Hockey Club in Norfolk, Virginia.

Johnson’s elite coaching strategies are rooted in her own decorated collegiate playing career at Old Dominion. As a three-year starter in the midfield and defense, she started 59 games, recorded 14 career points, and helped propel the Monarchs to two Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Off the field, Caitlin resides in Indiana with her husband, Drezden Johnson, whom she married in October 2025.

Name	Title	Phone	Email Address
Caitlin Johnson	Head Coach	765-285-5138	caitlin.walsh@bsu.edu
Emily Risser	Assistant Field Hockey Coach		emily.risser@bsu.edu
Jessica Rochat	Field Hockey Graduate Assistant		jessica.rochat@bsu.edu

Ball State University Athletics

2026 Field Hockey Coaching Staff

Coaching Staff