Coyne, who spent 15 seasons at the University of Notre Dame and two pit stops at Washington and Jefferson College and Duquesne University, said New Hampshire's political importance, the outdoors and personal connections to the College made Big Green lacrosse a sure choice.
"I've always had a tremendous amount of respect and, I guess, affection for Dartmouth," Coyne said.
As the 2006 Division I national coach of the year and a three-time Big East coach of the year, Coyne has a lot to offer Dartmouth. In 2009, she led the Notre Dame team to the Big East Championship and helped install an attack-minded mentality.
"I really like the in-game, trying to outsmart your opponent," Coyne said.
In 2006, Coyne led the Irish to the team's first-ever Final Four appearance.
Off the field, Coyne said she and Dartmouth head coach Amy Patton share similar philosophies about student life.
"We're similar in the sense that we're going to challenge the student athlete to be the best they can be but hold them accountable to take ownership over their development," she said.
Coyne will assist in recruiting, an area that has undergone drastic changes in recent years.
"Dartmouth has a very distinct identity, and I think students who choose Dartmouth choose it for what makes it unique," she said.
Lacrosse athletes now commit to programs much earlier in their high school careers, meaning that many potential recruits still do not know what they completely want out of college.
During her time at Notre Dame, Coyne attracted big-name talents such as Crysti Foote and Jillian Byers, both finalists for the nation's top women's lacrosse award, the Tewaaraton Trophy.
Coyne also makes the shift from the basketball-famous Big East to the Ivy League.
"I think the Big East is a diverse conference in terms of academic requirements, and I think in the Ivy there is more parity," Coyne said.
The Ivy League's addition of a season-end conference tournament in 2010 has helped prepare Dartmouth and other teams for NCAA play.
"When you have a conference tournament, it changes the dynamic of what in-season play represents."
Meredith Dunn, who graduated from Duquesne in June and played under Coyne, said the coach inspires respect and is known for her encouraging manner.
"She has an abundant wealth of knowledge for the game," Dunn said.
Dunn recalled practice when players were not focusing on training.
"She brought everyone in and said that every practice leads up to a game, and that we needed to focus in that moment and pull ourselves together," Dunn said. "She holds people to a higher standard and expects your best."
Coyne will bring her .663 career winning percentage to a program that has captured nine Ivy League championships and 13 NCAA tournament appearances as well as graduated 22 national players in Patton's 21 years at the helm.
"Amy is one of the brightest in terms of consistently producing top teams year out, so for me, it was an opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the game and help Dartmouth win," Coyne said.
Patton's experience has helped her understand other teams' dynamics, former player Julia Szafman '13 said.
"She's been around and in the game and seen so many changes and styles of play," Szafman said.
At Notre Dame, Coyne coached 23 All-American athletes. In the off-months, Coyne also led the Canadian national team.
During Coyne's initial visit and interview, rain could not damper her enthusiasm for a new start at Dartmouth.
"I was just so impressed by the people I met and how everything was handled," Coyne said.
Last spring, the Big Green beat Boston College 11-8 in the first round of the NCAA before falling 15-5 to host Syracuse University. The 11-8 team finished the season ranked third in the Ivy League, behind the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University.
Coyne will replace Morgan Kelly, who resigned this summer after one year as assistant coach. Kelly left because of family issues, The Valley News reported.
"One of our strengths is that we're such a well-coached team in that our coaches are very smart," Szafman said.
Patton was unavailable for comment by press time.
