PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's new head field hockey coach, Scott Tupper, has announced his coaching staff for the 2025 season.
 
Charlotte Vaziri, who joined the Penn staff prior to the 2024 season as an assistant coach, has been retained for the next season. In addition, Tupper has added former Michigan State assistant coach Erin Shanahan Smoot as his other assistant coach. Shanahan Smoot comes to University City after spending four seasons at Michigan State.
 
"Erin is an accomplished player and has coached in arguably the top conference in the NCAA for Field Hockey," said Tupper, who was announced as Penn's head coach on December 23. "She has a keen understanding of technical development and how we can train our athletes to be more proficient with their skills. I really like that she has experienced the game abroad, having played and studied in England after her career at Virginia. Further, she was a key piece in recruiting one of the top freshmen in the country this past season and I look forward to her assisting our recruiting efforts here at Penn."
 
"I am incredibly excited to join the field hockey program at Penn and be part of a prestigious institution with a rich history," Shanahan Smoot said. "I can't wait to contribute to the growth and success of the program, joining Scott and the staff in his inaugural season. I am eager to get started!"
 
Shanahan Smoot served on Michigan State's coaching staff from 2021-24. Last year, she recruited and guided Carmen Pucheta to Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Pucheta also became the first freshman in program history to be named to the All-Big Ten First Team.
 
During Shanahan Smoot's four years in East Lansing, Spartan players earned nine Big Ten honors – three in 2023 – and one National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) all-region selection.
 
She has also coached USA Field Hockey at the youth ranks since 2019, being selected to coach the U14 Nexus Championship team in 2022.
 
Shanahan Smoot coached various age levels for the Gaels Field Hockey Club from 2014-18 and then at Focus Field Hockey from 2018-20 in Portsmouth, Va. In addition, she served as a camp coach at the University of Virginia and at Severna Park High School in Maryland.
 
A graduate of the University of Virginia, Shanahan Smoot captained the 2019 Cavaliers to an 18-5 record as they reached the semifinals of the NCAA Championship. She played in four NCAA Championships during her career, was part of UVA's 2016 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship squad, and was twice named to the All-ACC Academic Team.
 
Across her four seasons, Shanahan Smoot appeared in 86 games (51 starts), finishing with 19 goals and 12 assists for 50 points and was named to the NFHCA Senior Game roster in 2019. Following her time at UVA, Shanahan Smoot spent her graduate year playing for the Beeston Hockey Club while studying at Nottingham Trent University in England.
 
Shanahan Smoot was named to the 2019 U.S. Women's Development Squad and traveled to the Netherlands, competing against Scotland's National Team and Belgium's U-21 Team. In addition, she competed at the USA Field Hockey Young Women's National Championship.
 
She earned her bachelor's degrees at Virginia in 2020, double majoring in political science and religious studies.
 
Meanwhile, Vaziri will remain on Penn's staff after serving as an assistant coach last season.
 
"From the moment I started at Penn it was clear that Char had developed a passion for the Penn program," Tupper said. "I'm thrilled to have filled out our staff and to have her and Erin alongside me. They are passionate about developing their coaching and growing as leaders of young women. Both have playing experience at top Division I programs during their time as student-athletes, and that will only help as we aspire to grow the program here at Penn."
 
"Scott and Erin's sophisticated playing and coaching pedigree ensures the program's future is positioned in the most refined, tactical and intentional way possible," Vaziri said. "I am privileged to work and grow alongside them as we reimagine Penn field hockey's footprint in the NCAA."
 
The Quakers start their spring slate on March 30 when they take on Princeton in New Jersey.
 
For the latest on Penn field hockey, follow @PennFieldHockey on X and on Instagram, and on the web at PennAthletics.com.