The Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Athletics Department announced in July of 2026 that Kayla Pierce has been hired as the first head coach in the history of its women’s flag football program. Her first day on campus will be Monday, August 17.
A native of Acton, Maine and graduate of Sanford High School, Pierce will lead the development of the first collegiate women’s flag football program in the state to compete at the NCAA varsity level. She will spend the 2026-27 academic year recruiting student-athletes, building the program’s infrastructure, establishing a schedule, and preparing for their inaugural season in Spring 2028.
“Kayla brings the energy, experience, and vision we were looking for to build this program from the ground up,” said Co-Director of Athletics Will Sanborn. “Hiring her now gives her a full recruiting cycle to establish a strong foundation before we begin competing in 2028. We also value the opportunity to have a talented woman leading a program that will create new pathways for female athletes in the sport. We feel incredibly fortunate to have an outstanding young professional of Kayla’s caliber leading the way, and we are excited to see the program she builds at Saint Joseph’s.”
Pierce graduated magna cum laude from Robert Morris University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion, with a concentration in sports psychology, through PennWest Global and is expected to graduate in Fall 2026. She is also CPR and NASE certified and has additional training in mindfulness and stress-management techniques.
She comes to Saint Joseph’s with collegiate head-coaching experience, having led the women’s rugby program at Robert Morris since August 2024. In that role, Pierce has managed recruiting, budgeting, tournament operations, training programs, and student-athlete development while building a team culture centered on leadership, accountability, resilience, and cohesion.
Pierce’s background in football includes experience as both a flag football player and a professional tackle football player with the Pittsburgh Passion. She has also helped coach flag football clinics conducted through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ iHeartRadio initiative and Slippery Rock University, along with volunteering at additional clinics designed to introduce and develop athletes in the sport.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to return to Maine and build the first collegiate women’s flag football program in the state,” Pierce said. “There is tremendous excitement and momentum surrounding the sport, and Saint Joseph’s is in position to create something truly special. I am especially excited to represent women in football and show young girls that they can play the game, compete at a high level, and continue pursuing the sport throughout their college careers. I look forward to recruiting student-athletes who want to compete and grow as leaders while we establish a foundation that represents both the College and the State of Maine with pride.”
Pierce’s professional background also includes experience in counseling, wellness, and sports psychology. She currently works as an adventure-based counselor at George Junior Republic, where she facilitates group therapy and team-building sessions and develops programming centered on safety, openness, accountability, and respect. She previously worked as a lead representative for Restore HyperWellness, supporting community outreach and educating clients about wellness, stress reduction, and recovery.
Women’s flag football will become the 21st varsity sport sponsored by Saint Joseph’s. The Monks will be the first collegiate institution in Maine to sponsor the sport at the NCAA varsity level.
The program is being established during a period of significant national growth for women’s flag football. The sport is now played in more than 40 states and has been recognized as a sanctioned championship sport by 23 state high school associations. More than 60,000 girls participated in youth flag football leagues nationwide during the 2024-25 season.
Women’s flag football was added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in January 2026, representing the first formal step toward NCAA championship status. Sponsorship has already surpassed the NCAA’s 40-school requirement, and the inaugural NCAA Women’s Flag Football Championship is projected for Spring 2028. The sport is also scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Saint Joseph’s announced the addition of women’s flag football earlier this summer. The program is supported through private philanthropy and external funding opportunities, including a significant gift from an anonymous donor.
Additional information regarding recruiting, scheduling, community events, and other program developments will be announced as the Monks prepare for their inaugural season.
