Amanda Belichick is an American women’s lacrosse coach who serves as the head coach of the College of the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse team in Worcester, Massachusetts. She is also the daughter of football coach Bill Belichick, but has built her own career in collegiate sports. A 2007 graduate of Wesleyan University, Amanda played lacrosse before moving into coaching at Choate Rosemary Hall, UMass and Ohio State.

She later led Wesleyan and joined Holy Cross in 2015. Her career includes a 2024 Patriot League Coach of the Year award and a leadership position with the IWLCA.

Who Is Amanda Belichick? Early Life, Background and Family

Amanda Belichick grew up in a family closely connected to American sports. Her father, Bill Belichick, became one of football’s best-known coaches through his work with the New England Patriots. Her mother is Debby Clarke Belichick.

She also has two brothers, Stephen and Brian Belichick. Both pursued careers in football coaching, while Amanda chose women’s lacrosse. Their shared interest in sports gave the family a strong connection to coaching and competition.

Childhood and Growing Up in the Belichick Family

Amanda’s childhood included several moves linked to her father’s football career. The family lived in Cleveland before moving to New England and later spending time in New York. Bill became head coach of the Patriots in 2000, bringing the family back to the Boston area.

Lacrosse was also part of family life. A lacrosse net stood in the backyard, and the children often played together. Their father had played the sport at Wesleyan University, so it offered the family another way to share time outside football.

How Her Father’s Coaching Career Influenced Her

Bill Belichick influenced Amanda’s understanding of preparation, leadership and team management. She saw how he studied opponents and organized practices, but she did not plan to become a coach when she was young.

In a 2017 Sports Illustrated interview, Amanda explained that her father helped her understand the practical side of coaching. Their conversations covered more than game tactics. They also discussed how to communicate with players, manage time and adapt to different learning styles.

Amanda developed her own approach to the job. Her work focuses on women’s lacrosse and the needs of college athletes, rather than copying her father’s football methods.

Education and College Lacrosse Career at Wesleyan University

Amanda attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. She graduated in 2007 with a degree in history and played four years of women’s lacrosse for the Wesleyan Cardinals.

Her college experience gave her a foundation in both academic study and competitive sports. She served as a team captain during her senior year and finished her playing career with 72 points.

High School Education and Athletic Background

Amanda attended Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts. The school also has a connection to her father, who attended the same institution.

Her time at Phillips Academy helped build her interest in school athletics. She later worked at Choate Rosemary Hall, where she coached lacrosse and took on other responsibilities within the school.

Playing Lacrosse and Graduating from Wesleyan

At Wesleyan, Amanda became a four-year letterwinner and served as a senior captain. She scored 47 goals and recorded 25 assists, giving her 72 career points.

Her strongest statistical season came in 2006. She recorded 52 points, including 33 goals and 19 assists. These results placed her among the productive attacking players in the program.

After graduating in 2007, Amanda initially considered work outside coaching. She explored marketing and advertising before accepting an opportunity to coach at Choate Rosemary Hall.

Amanda Belichick’s Coaching Career and Professional Journey

Amanda’s coaching career developed through several college and school programs. Each position gave her experience in recruitment, player development, team preparation and program management.

Her career included work at Choate Rosemary Hall, UMass, Ohio State and Wesleyan before she became the head coach at Holy Cross.

Starting Her Coaching Career at Choate Rosemary Hall

Amanda began her coaching career at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. She served as head girls’ lacrosse coach for two years.

Her responsibilities extended beyond the field. She also worked in the admissions office and supported other school athletic programs, including varsity soccer and junior varsity ice hockey.

This early position introduced her to the wider responsibilities of coaching. She had to balance training, administration, recruitment and communication with students.

Assistant Coaching Experience at UMass

In 2010, Amanda joined the University of Massachusetts Amherst women’s lacrosse program as an assistant coach. She worked mainly with midfielders and helped with scouting, recruitment, daily operations and team travel.

Head coach Alexis Venechanos praised her work ethic and understanding of the recruiting process. Amanda also helped the Minutewomen win the Atlantic 10 Championship during the 2010 season.

The position gave her experience in Division I lacrosse and helped prepare her for a longer career in college coaching.

Ohio State Coaching Experience

Amanda later joined Ohio State as an assistant coach. She spent three seasons with the Buckeyes and worked as both recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator.

Her responsibilities included evaluating prospective players and helping develop the team’s attacking system. During her time there, Ohio State reached a national ranking as high as No. 10.

She also coached players who earned national recognition. The program produced three Tewaaraton Award nominees, four IWLCA All-Americans and 11 All-American Lacrosse Conference players during her tenure.

Returning to Wesleyan as Head Coach

Amanda returned to Wesleyan as interim women’s lacrosse coach in 2013. She then served as the team’s head coach during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

The program’s national computer ranking improved from No. 49 in 2013 to No. 17 in 2014. Wesleyan’s official year-by-year record lists a 5-10 record in both 2014 and 2015, so the ranking improvement should not be confused with a winning season.

Her return gave her the chance to lead the university where she had played as a student. It also provided valuable head-coaching experience before her next move.

Amanda Belichick at Holy Cross: Appointment, Leadership and Program Development

The College of the Holy Cross appointed Amanda as its women’s lacrosse head coach on July 10, 2015. She became the sixth head coach in the program’s history and began her first season in 2016.

The appointment brought her back to Massachusetts and placed her in charge of a Division I program competing in the Patriot League. Her responsibilities included building the team, recruiting players and developing a competitive program.

Becoming Holy Cross Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach

Holy Cross selected Amanda after her experience at Wesleyan, Ohio State and UMass. Athletic director Nathan Pine highlighted her background in recruitment and player development when announcing the appointment.

Her first Holy Cross season ended with a 3-14 record. Building a stronger team would take time, particularly as the program worked to compete against established Patriot League opponents.

Building and Developing the Holy Cross Program

Amanda’s work at Holy Cross has included player recruitment, team preparation and developing a consistent playing system. She has also emphasized academic achievement alongside athletic performance.

The Crusaders reached the Patriot League Tournament in 2018 and 2023. These appearances formed part of the program’s longer development under her leadership.

The strongest recent progress came in 2024 and 2025, when Holy Cross recorded consecutive winning seasons and reached the Patriot League semifinals.

The 2024 Breakthrough Season

The 2024 season became a major milestone for Amanda and Holy Cross. The Crusaders finished with a 12-6 overall record and went 6-3 in Patriot League play.

Amanda received the 2024 Patriot League Coach of the Year award. The team also recorded an eight-game winning streak between February 24 and March 30.

Several players contributed to the team’s success. Isabela Miller provided important assists, while Lauren Drillock and Ella Kittredge contributed to the attack. Goalkeeper Tori Cini also played a role in the team’s performances.

The team scored 241 goals during the season, setting a program single-season record. Its 380 points and 141 assists were also notable figures in the program’s recent statistical history.

Coaching Philosophy, Leadership Style and Player Development

Amanda’s coaching philosophy places strong attention on player development. She has described coaching as more than teaching tactics. She wants athletes to build confidence, improve their skills and gain experience they can use beyond college sports.

Her approach also includes communication and adapting to individual learning styles. These ideas connect her work as a coach with the lessons she learned as a Wesleyan player and through her earlier coaching positions.

Player-First Coaching and Individual Development

Amanda has spoken about understanding the personalities, goals and concerns of student-athletes. She believes coaches need to understand individual players rather than expect every athlete to respond to the same teaching method.

At Holy Cross, assistant coach Joelle Prata has worked alongside her in developing the women’s lacrosse program. Their work includes supporting players as they adjust to college competition and their responsibilities as students.

Senior midfielder Olivia Kaval has discussed the value of team chemistry and communication in the program. These areas help players understand their roles and work toward shared goals.

Amanda’s player-first approach also involves helping athletes build confidence. Her stated aim is to mentor players in ways that benefit them beyond the lacrosse field.

Team Preparation, Recruitment and Game Strategy

Recruitment is another major part of Amanda’s coaching responsibilities. Her previous experience as a recruiting coordinator at Ohio State and her work at UMass gave her a foundation in evaluating players.

Game preparation also requires more than running drills. Amanda has discussed organizing practice around different phases of play, including attack, defense and transition.

She has also used time-based drills to help players understand the pace and demands of competition. This structure gives athletes focused practice opportunities instead of mixing every part of the game into each session.

Awards, Records and Professional Achievements

Amanda’s professional achievements include coaching recognition, team milestones and involvement in national women’s lacrosse leadership.

Her 2024 Patriot League award stands out because it followed a strong season for Holy Cross. Her work with the IWLCA also gives her responsibilities beyond her own college program.

Patriot League Recognition and Coaching Awards

In April 2024, the Patriot League named Amanda its Women’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year. Holy Cross had finished the regular season with an 11-5 record and a 6-3 conference record before the postseason.

The award recognized the team’s progress and its performance against conference opponents. The Crusaders earned the No. 4 seed in the Patriot League Championship.

The 2024 season also included a strong attacking performance. Holy Cross averaged 13.88 goals per game during the regular season, ranking fourth in the conference.

National Leadership Through the IWLCA

Amanda also serves as a Division I representative on the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Board of Directors.

Her responsibilities include chairing the IWLCA Rules, Safety and Game Administration Committee. This work connects her with the Collegiate Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association, known as the CWLOA, and the NCAA Rules Committee.

These responsibilities involve issues that affect the wider sport, including playing rules, safety and game administration. Her role therefore extends beyond coaching the Holy Cross team.

Player Development and Academic Achievements

Amanda’s coaching record also includes player and academic achievements. Holy Cross has received recognition as an IWLCA Academic Honor Squad during her tenure.

The university reports 255 Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selections across her first 10 seasons as head coach.

Several players have also ranked among NCAA statistical leaders. Racheli Levy-Smith ranked 10th nationally in draw controls per game in 2025, while Isabela Miller ranked 11th in assists per game that season.

Earlier players also achieved national recognition. Jolie Creo ranked among the leading NCAA players in points and goals per game during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Amanda Belichick’s Personal Life, Marriage and Children

Amanda maintains a family life alongside her coaching responsibilities. She is married to AJ DeSantis, and established entertainment and sports reporting identifies them as parents of two children.

Although her father’s career often attracts public attention, Amanda generally keeps her personal life separate from her professional work.

Marriage to AJ DeSantis

Amanda married AJ DeSantis in 2017. Their wedding took place at the Weekapaug Inn in Rhode Island.

Details about their relationship remain relatively private. Amanda’s public profile focuses mainly on her work in collegiate lacrosse rather than regular coverage of her marriage.

Does Amanda Belichick Have Children?

Yes. Amanda Belichick and AJ DeSantis have two children. They have largely kept their children’s lives away from public attention, and detailed information about them is limited.

Amanda Belichick’s Current Role and Future in Women’s Lacrosse

Amanda remains the head coach of Holy Cross women’s lacrosse in 2026. This is her 11th season leading the program and her work continues to include coaching, recruitment and player development.

Her responsibilities also include national leadership through the IWLCA. These roles give her involvement in both college competition and the wider development of women’s lacrosse.

Her Position at Holy Cross in 2026

During the 2026 season, Amanda continued to lead the Holy Cross Crusaders in the Patriot League. The team finished with a 7-10 overall record and reached the Patriot League quarterfinals, where it lost to Bucknell.

Her position as head coach was confirmed on the official 2026 Holy Cross roster. The season followed consecutive winning campaigns in 2024 and 2025.

Her Influence on the Future of Collegiate Lacrosse

Amanda’s work with the IWLCA adds a national dimension to her coaching career. As a Division I representative and committee chair, she contributes to discussions involving rules, safety and game administration.

Her experience across Division I and Division III programs also gives her a broad view of college lacrosse. She has worked in recruitment, offensive development and head coaching, giving her experience across several parts of the sport.

Her future contribution will depend on continued team development at Holy Cross and her work with national coaching organizations.

Conclusion

Amanda Belichick has built a career through years of playing, coaching and leading women’s lacrosse programs. Her journey began at Wesleyan University and continued through Choate Rosemary Hall, UMass and Ohio State.

Her appointment at Holy Cross in 2015 gave her the opportunity to lead a Division I program. The 2024 Patriot League Coach of the Year award and consecutive winning seasons in 2024 and 2025 marked important achievements.

Her professional identity now includes both college coaching and national leadership through the IWLCA. Although she comes from a well-known football family, Amanda has developed her own path in collegiate women’s lacrosse.

FAQs

Who Is Amanda Belichick?

Amanda Belichick is an American women’s lacrosse coach and the head coach of the College of the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse team.

How Old Is Amanda Belichick?

Amanda Belichick was born in 1984. Her exact birth date has not been reliably established, so her precise age in 2026 cannot be confirmed.

Who Are Amanda Belichick’s Parents?

Amanda Belichick is the daughter of former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his former wife, Debby Clarke Belichick.

Is Amanda Belichick Married? Who Is Her Husband?

Yes. Amanda Belichick married AJ DeSantis in 2017 at the Weekapaug Inn in Rhode Island.

Does Amanda Belichick Have Children?

Yes. Amanda Belichick and her husband, AJ DeSantis, have two children.

Where Did Amanda Belichick Go to College?

Amanda Belichick attended Wesleyan University, where she graduated with a history degree in 2007 and played four years of women’s lacrosse.

What Does Amanda Belichick Do for a Living?

Amanda Belichick works as a collegiate women’s lacrosse coach. She is the head coach at Holy Cross and serves in the IWLCA.

What Is Amanda Belichick’s Net Worth?

Amanda Belichick’s net worth has not been reliably established through public financial records, and no verified figure is available.