UC Davis Athletics

The Aggies ended their 2024 season 1-5 in America East conference games and 4-13 for the entire season. Coach Pile led the team to their first post season appearance since 2018. The Aggies also swept a weekend of play against Northeastern (9/6) and Kent State (9/8). 

The Aggies ended their 2023 season 1-7 in America East conference games and 2-14 for the entire season. Coach Pile led them to their first-ever road win against Stanford (9/22) with a 2-1 victory. The Aggies also had a double-overtime thriller against Ken State (9/3) coming out on top with a 5-4 victory. 

UC Davis Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca announced the hiring of Austin Pile as the new head coach of the Aggies field hockey program on March 8, 2022. The former UC Davis assistant coach returns to the program after eight years at Cal.

"We are excited to welcome back Austin to the UC Davis family," DeLuca said. "Austin's familiarity with our program paired with his successful run at Cal and track record of developing student-athletes on and off the field was exactly what we were looking for to fill this role. I'd also like to thank Danielle Shank and the search committee for their work to ensure this was a thorough and positive process."

Pile most recently served as the associate head coach for the Golden Bears, being promoted to that position prior to the 2019 season.

"UC Davis is a special place where student-athletes can get a world-class education and push themselves to perform at their best on the field," Pile said. "I am excited to lead the field hockey program after having had the pleasure to work with some of the best coaches in the game. So many have mentored and helped prepare me to be the coach I am today, and I look forward to sharing that knowledge and passion with current and future generations of Aggies."

Since he joined the Golden Bears in 2014, Pile helped Cal maintain its standing as a West Coast force through his assistance in every aspect of student-athlete development. Pile's efforts on the recruiting trail helped the Bears bring in a number of talented stars, including USA Field Hockey national team members Megan Rodgers, Brynn Zorilla and Katrina Carter. He also helped direct Cal's spring clinics and summer camps.

"I'd like to thank Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca and Associate Athletic Director Danielle Shank for this amazing opportunity," Pile added. "The future is bright for UC Davis field hockey, and I can't wait to get out on the turf with the team."

On the turf, Pile's versatility allowed him to contribute to Cal's offensive and defensive schemes, training techniques and pre-game scouting. He worked closely with Cal's strength and conditioning and medical staff, overseeing innovative sports science techniques to ensure peak physical performance and load management among field hockey's student-athletes.

Prior to coming to Cal, Pile spent four years at UC Davis in various roles. He joined the Aggies in 2010 as an assistant coach before being named the team's interim head coach in July 2013.

Joining a program that was created just one year prior, the Aggies improved every season while Pile was on staff. The Aggies won their first NorPac game in program history with a 2-1 victory over Pacific in his first season and won seven conference games in his three years as an assistant.

Taking over as the interim head coach for the 2013 season, Pile led the Aggies to their first-ever victory against Stanford with a 3-2 win, a game that also marked the first victory against a nationally-ranked program. UC Davis matched a program record with a 3-3 NorPac mark in his season in charge. Adding to a season of firsts at Davis, the Aggies also advanced to the NorPac Tournament semifinals for the first time in 2013.

Pile arrived at UC Davis following a three-year stint as an assistant coach for one of the top high school programs in Colorado, Cherry Creek High School in Englewood. He helped guide the team to the Colorado State Championship in 2007.

In addition, Pile's own experience as a member of the U.S. Junior National Men's Team has helped maintain a strong recruiting pipeline throughout the national team, with Pile serving as a coach and guest at development camps throughout the country. Pile has also served as regional coach for USA Field Hockey's National Futures Championship, a tournament held annually comprised of the best players from around the country, as well as coaching a team to the bronze medal at the AAU Junior Olympics. Along with developing athletes, he also has helped to develop local coaches by running USA Field Hockey coach education certifications in California.

His coaching experience has included work as a Futures Coach with USA Field Hockey, and he also worked three years as a volunteer assistant at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colo.

Pile graduated from Colorado State University in 2008.