Lindenwood women's hockey head coach Taylor Wasylk has announced the addition of Rhea Coad as assistant coach, beginning in the 2023-24 season.

"I could not be more excited to welcome Rhea Coad to our staff," said Wasylk. "She is a proven leader in the women's hockey world, and I know that her work ethic and relatability will have a profound impact on both our student athletes and the greater Lindenwood community."

Coad most recently completed her second season at the helm of the Buffalo Beauts, a professional women's ice hockey team based in Buffalo, N.Y. which competes in the Premier Hockey Federation. Coad began her tenure with the Beauts in 2019-20 as an assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach in 2020-21.

Coad spent three years as an assistant coach at Nazareth College and was a part of the staff during the teams inaugural year in 2018-19. During her time in Rochester, N.Y., the Golden Flyers compiled a record of 45-12-5. Coad worked with four all-conference selections during her tenure while the staff earned United Collegiate Hockey Conference Coaching Staff of the Year in 2019.

A four-year member of the women's hockey program at Canton and was team captain for the 2016-17 season, which ended with a 14-11-2 overall record for the Kangaroos. She was the 2017 recipient of the SUNY Canton Pillars of Character Award. Coad also played softball and golf at the collegiate level.

Coad graduated from SUNY Canton in 2018 with a degree in Health and Fitness Promotion. She went on to obtain her Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs and Administrative Degree from Nazareth College in 2021.