Gannon Fisher Elevated to Head Coach of Michigan Field Hockey
4/17/2025 11:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Warde Manuel, the University of Michigan's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics, announced Thursday (April 17) that Kristi Gannon Fisher has been named head field hockey coach. Gannon Fisher, a two-time All-American and Big Ten Conference Athlete of the Year as a Wolverine student-athlete (2000-03), has spent nine total seasons with the coaching staff -- seven as a full-time assistant (2009, '19-24) and two as U-M's volunteer coach (2006-07).
Gannon Fisher becomes the eighth head coach in Michigan program history, dating back to 1973, and assumes full control of the U-M field hockey program following the retirement of 25-year head coach Marcia Pankratz.
"I am thrilled that Kristi will take the reins of our field hockey program following her tremendous contributions both as an assistant coach and as a former All-America Michigan student-athlete," said Manuel. "She is passionate about this university and its field hockey program and someone who is truly admired by her former teammates and fellow alums as well as the student-athletes she has helped develop over two stints on the UMFH coaching staff. She bleeds blue through and through, and Michigan field hockey could not have a better coach to lead us into the future."
"Michigan Field Hockey has given me more than I could have ever imagined," said Gannon Fisher, "both as a student-athlete and as a coach. This program is my family, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve as its head coach. It's a lifelong dream come true.
"I am honored to carry the torch forward after Marcia Pankratz's incredible 25 years of dedication. My deepest thanks to athletic director Warde Manuel and assistant athletic director Andra Krievs for the confidence they have placed in me. I'm excited to experience this next chapter alongside and with the unwavering support of my husband, Jim, and our amazing kids Jake, Kaci and Karli, and to continue the great legacy of developing strong Michigan women and winning championships."
Since Gannon Fisher's return to Ann Arbor in 2019, Michigan has captured a Big Ten regular-season title and three tournament crowns and qualified for the NCAA Tournament five times, earning a national runner-up finish in the spring of 2021. The Wolverines have boasted 11 All-Americans, including four first-teamers, over the last six seasons.
Michigan captured Big Ten Tournament titles in 2022 and 2024 and, of note, excelled in a busy 2021 calendar year that featured two competitive seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The spring 2021 Wolverines posted a 15-3 record, swept the Big Ten Conference regular-season and tournament crowns and reached the NCAA championship game, where they dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker in overtime to two-time defending champion North Carolina. U-M ranked among the national leaders with a sterling 0.61 goals-against average, 10 shutouts and just 7.9 shots and 3.8 penalty corners allowed per game. That fall, Michigan went 16-5, earned the No. 1 ranking for the first time in program history, reached the NCAA quarterfinals and matched a program-high four NFHCA All-Americans.
A standout as a Michigan field hockey student-athlete (2000-03), Gannon Fisher was a two-time NFHCA first team All-American (2002, '03) and four-time selection to the All-Big Ten first team, becoming just the fourth player in conference history to earn such distinction. As a senior in 2003, she was recognized as the Big Ten Player of the Year, providing a nice bookend to her 2000 Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. She played one season at Michigan with her older sister, Kelli, herself a three-time All-American who was inducted into Michigan Athletics' Hall of Honor in 2020.
Gannon Fisher was a pivotal member of the Wolverines' 2001 NCAA Championship team, earning All-Tournament team honors after scoring the second goal in U-M's 2-0 win against Maryland in the championship game. She ranks among the top 10 in every major UMFH career scoring category with 37 goals, 26 assists and 100 career points.
Gannon Fisher also spent four years as a member of the USA Field Hockey women's national team (2003-06), during which she boasted 45 international caps and a pair of international goals. She contributed to U.S. silver medals at the 2004 Pan American Cup and 2001 Americas Cup and competed in the 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament. She competed in the 2006 World Cup Qualifier, where the USA claimed fourth to earn a berth to the premiere international event.
Originally from Escondido, Calif., Gannon Fisher graduated from Michigan in 2006 with a degree in physical education. She is married to Jim Fisher, a 2005 Michigan graduate and three-year football letterwinner as a tight end, and has three children, Jacob, Kaci and Karli.
