Lynn Coutts has worn many jerseys – award-winning student-athlete, inspiring coach and successful higher education administrator – in more than two decades excelling in athletics leadership. Today, she dons one more.
UMass Lowell named Coutts the next athletic director at an event on campus Thursday morning.
A graduate of UMaine Orono, where she excelled as a softball pitcher, Coutts has more than two decades of experience as a collegiate coach and administrator. She comes to UMass Lowell after serving as associate vice chancellor and deputy director of athletics and the Senior Woman Administrator at the Division I University of Denver. At Denver she was the sport administrator for the Pioneer’s women’s volleyball team, women’s basketball team, women’s lacrosse team that went to the 2023 Final Four, and the men’s hockey team that won national championship in 2024 and 2022.
A first-generation college graduate, Coutts feels “uniquely equipped to align with the mission and values of UMass Lowell.”
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead a positive, high-energy environment inspiring student athletes, coaches and staff to achieve world class excellence in the classroom, in competition and within the campus community,” she said.
Her tenure will begin in August prior to the start of the fall athletic season.
“I am thrilled Lynn is joining UMass Lowell as athletic director,” said Chancellor Julie Chen. “She demonstrates a passion grounded in personal experience, professional success and determination. Her desire to grow this position, working not only with coaches and student-athletes but across the UMass Lowell community, is one of many reasons I know she will succeed leading the River Hawk team.”
In addition to her coaching expertise, Coutts developed entrepreneurial expertise running her own sports training business with her husband Mike for nearly 14 years, fostering long-lasting connections within the community.
Coutts will join UMass Lowell’s executive cabinet, with the athletic director position elevated to play a larger role executing university-wide priorities and engaging broad constituencies throughout the regional community.
“During my tenure as UMass Lowell’s chancellor, I was proud to elevate UMass Lowell’s athletics program to Division I,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “I know Lynn will continue to accelerate the growth and momentum of the River Hawks program to support the success of the university’s outstanding student athletes, coaches and staff.”
UMass Lowell was accepted as a member of the NCAA’s Division I and the America East Conference in 2013 and completed the transition in 2017.
Provost Joseph Hartman and Vice Chancellor of Brand, Communication and Creative Strategy bec rollins chaired the search committee.
“In a cohort of excellent candidates, Lynn stood out from the crowd,” Hartman said. “She comes to UMass Lowell with an impressive record of achievements, most recently in supporting successful teams at the University of Denver while building and maintaining relationships with important partners and supporters of the Pioneers program.”
Herself a former student-athlete, rollins connected with Coutts over shared athletics passion and a resolve to further UMass Lowell’s mission.
“Lynn reflects the stories of many UMass Lowell students,” said rollins. “As a first-generation college graduate and a woman in sports, she represents a level of success many in our community, not just our student athletes, can benefit from. Her proven experience as a university leader, and a competitive coach and team member, will be a great asset to the River Hawks team.”
Coutts began her coaching career leading the first UMaine softball team to advance to an NCAA Regional and was soon named the 2015 America East Coach of the Year. She split her time mentoring student-athletes on and off the field as well cultivating relationships with fellow coaches and support staff. She contributed to the growth of the department and helped oversee the budget, supplementing it through successful fundraising initiatives.
