UKC Athletics is proud to welcome five new coaches to the Blue Devils family for the 2026/27 season. Bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to their respective sports, these coaches will play an important role in the continued growth and success of our varsity programs. Their unique backgrounds and commitment to student-athlete development mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Blue Devils Athletics. Learn more about each of our newest coaches and the experiences they bring to King’s.
Jonathan Hammond – Men’s Soccer
Meet Jonathan Hammond, incoming coach of the Men’s Soccer program. Jonathan comes from a highly competitive background as both a player and coach, serving as the high performance coach of the Dunbrack soccer club’s Premier Women teams, and head coach of the UDFC High Performance U12-16 male stream.
His focus on creating a strong culture that looks to elevate his athletes as both players and people aligns perfectly with what King’s represents, and makes us very happy to welcome him to the Blue Devils family.
I’m proud to be appointed Head Coach of the UKC Men’s Soccer program. King’s is a special institution, and I’m grateful to the Athletic Department for the opportunity to lead this next chapter.
Our focus is clear: to build on a strong foundation and create a culture rooted in ambition, discipline, and belief—one that reflects the standards of King’s and elevates our program on and off the field.
Mike Bennett – Women’s Soccer
Meet Mike Bennett, incoming coach of the Women’s Soccer program. Mike brings strong competitive playing experience and an impressive coaching resume, having worked with Halifax County United across multiple age groups and high-performance programs as well as serving on the Soccer Nova Scotia EXCEL Program staff. His passion for player development and commitment to excellence make him a fantastic addition to the Blue Devils family.
As a player, Mike played four seasons in the Canada West conference with the Thompson River University Wolfpack, earning a USports bronze medal in 2017. He then went on to finish up his university career with Saint Mary’s University. His experience as a high-level athlete brings a level of competitiveness look to bring on the field!
I am thrilled to have been appointed Head Coach of the UKC Women’s Soccer Program.
I am grateful to the Athletic Department for this opportunity, and look forward to working with this talented group of student-athletes.
We want to create a positive, hard-working, competitive culture that represents the values of the University on and off the field.
Stephanie Gould – Women’s Volleyball
Meet Stephanie Gould, incoming head coach of the Women’s Volleyball Progarm. Stephanie brings over 18 years of coaching and program leadership experience across all levels of volleyball. She spent 8 years as part of the coaching staff at Dalhousie and has extensive club and provincial coaching experience as well. Her approach is strategic and athlete-centered, with a strong focus on building positive team culture and climate.
I am incredibly honoured to join UKC as the Head Coach of the Women’s Volleyball Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with talented student-athletes and help build a culture of excellence, growth, and passion for the game.
I am grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to the journey ahead with this team and the entire UKC community.
Ben Miller – Women’s Basketball
Meet Ben Miller, incoming head coach of the Women’s Basketball Program. Ben brings coaching experience from the AUS, ACAA, and MWBA levels. As a player, he has an extensive playing background representing Manitoba, the Canadian National Team, Acadia University, and in Armenia and Ireland.
Throughout his coaching career, he has built a strong foundation centered around culture development, pursuing excellence, and building meaningful relationships. He is known for his strong basketball mind, while also bringing a high level of accountability, standards, and professionalism to the programs he leads.
I am excited and humbled to accept the role of Head Coach of the Varsity Women’s Basketball Program. I look forward to supporting our student athletes as they grow as individuals on and off the court, and to establishing a culture built on consistency and accountability.
Anna Gillies – Badminton
Meet Anna Gillies, incoming head coach of the Badminton program. Anna is no stranger to the Blue Devils family. During her outstanding four year career as a UKC student-athlete, she built an impressive resume highlighted by multiple ACAA and CCAA medals.
As part of the well-known Gillies Blue Devils legacy, with two siblings also having worn the blue and played at UKC, Anna brings not only exceptional badminton knowledge but also a deep connection to our community and culture. Her passion for student-athlete development and love for the Blue Devils family make her a natural fit to lead one of UKC’s most accomplished programs into its next chapter.
I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to work with great student athletes and to lead a such a successful program in this next chapter. I hope to build a positive training environment and team culture to help athletes thrive in competition at both the Atlantic and National levels.
We are very excited to welcome all our new coaches to the Blue Devils family! Make sure you come out and show your support next season when all these amazing coaches make their debut! You can find next season’s schedules on the Athletics Page.
