UNOH Hires Aaliyah Lockridge as Head Coach of Women’s Flag Football

LIMA, OH - The University of Northwestern Ohio has announced the hiring of Aaliyah Lockridge as the first head coach of Women's Flag Football effective immediately. Lockridge will take over the program as it prepares to launch for the inaugural 2027 campaign.

"We are thrilled to welcome Aaliyah Lockridge as the inaugural head coach of our women's flag football program," UNOH Director of Athletics Jen Dervarics said about the hiring. "Aaliyah is a proven leader whose passion for the game, ability to mentor student-athletes, and commitment to their growth on and off the field make her the ideal person to lead this program from day one. She brings a clear vision for building a competitive, values-driven culture and will set the standard for excellence for our program. We are excited to see Aaliyah lay the foundation for a program that will positively impact our student-athletes and our campus for years to come"

Lockridge comes to UNOH after leading the Northrop High School girls flag football program and working as an Assistant Coach at the University of St. Francis earlier this spring. Her coaching experience also includes Gridiron Youth Flag Football where she has been coaching since 2023.

"It's an honor to be named Head Flag Football Coach at UNOH," stated Lockridge. "I am passionate about creating an environment where athletes are challenged, supported and empowered to grow both on and off the field. Flag football is rapidly evolving, and I'm excited to help position UNOH as a program that develops disciplined, confident, and high-performing student-athletes. I believe that every organization, woman, girl, and coach that is a part of flag football is helping to push and accelerate this sport in a positive direction. That is something I am grateful to be a part of."

Lockridge continues her professional career has a wide receiver and running back for the Indiana Valor, members of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA), where she has been playing since 2024. She ended her rookie season as a WFA Third Team All-American at the National Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

She earned her Associate's Degree from Pratt Community College before adding a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech).