Wood Joins Carolina Women’s Lacrosse Coaching Staff On A Permanent Basis
June 9, 2025 | Women's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina women's lacrosse program is permanently adding Kayla Wood to its coaching staff after she spent last season as a temporary assistant, head coach Jenny Levy announced on Monday. Wood, a decorated player at both the collegiate and international level, will continue to work primarily with a Tar Heel defensive unit that was ranked as the best in the nation during the 2025 season.
"We're so thrilled to have Kayla join the staff on a permanent basis," Levy stated. "When Coach Barnes notified us he'd be stepping away to spend time with family prior to last season, Kayla dove right in, got up-to-speed on how we wanted to approach the defensive end moving forward, and produced results on the field. She's done a great job of combining her extensive playing experience with her growing coaching acumen and you could see how she applied it on the field. We were the toughest defense to play against in the country and Kayla had a huge role in that."
During her first season on staff, North Carolina won the National Championship after going undefeated with a record of 22-0, while going 9-0 in ACC play. The Heels claimed the Regular Season and ACC Tournament Championships. With Wood guiding the defense, UNC led the country in scoring defense (6.9 goals per game), total goals allowed for anyone that played more than 15 games (151) and scoring margin (10.6 gpg). The Heels also ranked third nationally in save percentage (.508) and Betty Nelson topped the goals-against-average list at 7.37. Wood mentored six players to All-America honors, including first-team recognition for Sam Forrest and Brooklyn Walker-Welch, and Forrest was tabbed the IWLCA Defender of the Year.
"It felt special to be back in Chapel Hill working with the program I love so much," said Wood. "I was privileged to be a part of Coach Levy's program and am so thankful to have been trusted to be able to give back to the program that gave so much to me. It's been a joy to work alongside this staff and accomplish our goal of winning a National Championship. I couldn't be more excited to continue on this journey with this incredible staff."
Wood began her coaching journey as the head coach of Issaquah High School in Seattle during the spring of 2023. She then served as an assistant at Princeton during the 2024 season, when the Tigers made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Wood mentored five All-Ivy selections and the Ivy Legue Goalkeeper of the Year.
A defender by trade, Wood played for Coach Levy and the Tar Heels from 2018-21, appearing in 66 games. UNC reached the Final Four three times during her tenure in Chapel Hill and won the ACC Regular Season and Tournament Championships three times each.
Wood made history as part of the U.S. National Team that won the inaugural World Lacrosse Women's Box Championship, captaining the team in the process. She has also represented Team USA at the 2021 USA Lacrosse Fall Classic and with the U.S. training team ahead of the 2022 World Championship. Wood also played four seasons professionally with Athletes Unlimited following her time in Chapel Hill.
Wood will take over for long-time assistant Phil Barnes, who is retiring to spend more time with family. Barnes joined the staff in 2004 and helped Carolina win three National Championships, while being named IWLCA Assistant Coach of the Year twice.
"I want to thank Phil for all he's done for us over the last 20-plus years," added Levy. "He helped build the foundation for one of the country's top lacrosse programs and we're grateful for all his work. We wish him nothing but the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life."
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"We're so thrilled to have Kayla join the staff on a permanent basis," Levy stated. "When Coach Barnes notified us he'd be stepping away to spend time with family prior to last season, Kayla dove right in, got up-to-speed on how we wanted to approach the defensive end moving forward, and produced results on the field. She's done a great job of combining her extensive playing experience with her growing coaching acumen and you could see how she applied it on the field. We were the toughest defense to play against in the country and Kayla had a huge role in that."
During her first season on staff, North Carolina won the National Championship after going undefeated with a record of 22-0, while going 9-0 in ACC play. The Heels claimed the Regular Season and ACC Tournament Championships. With Wood guiding the defense, UNC led the country in scoring defense (6.9 goals per game), total goals allowed for anyone that played more than 15 games (151) and scoring margin (10.6 gpg). The Heels also ranked third nationally in save percentage (.508) and Betty Nelson topped the goals-against-average list at 7.37. Wood mentored six players to All-America honors, including first-team recognition for Sam Forrest and Brooklyn Walker-Welch, and Forrest was tabbed the IWLCA Defender of the Year.
"It felt special to be back in Chapel Hill working with the program I love so much," said Wood. "I was privileged to be a part of Coach Levy's program and am so thankful to have been trusted to be able to give back to the program that gave so much to me. It's been a joy to work alongside this staff and accomplish our goal of winning a National Championship. I couldn't be more excited to continue on this journey with this incredible staff."
Wood began her coaching journey as the head coach of Issaquah High School in Seattle during the spring of 2023. She then served as an assistant at Princeton during the 2024 season, when the Tigers made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Wood mentored five All-Ivy selections and the Ivy Legue Goalkeeper of the Year.
A defender by trade, Wood played for Coach Levy and the Tar Heels from 2018-21, appearing in 66 games. UNC reached the Final Four three times during her tenure in Chapel Hill and won the ACC Regular Season and Tournament Championships three times each.
Wood made history as part of the U.S. National Team that won the inaugural World Lacrosse Women's Box Championship, captaining the team in the process. She has also represented Team USA at the 2021 USA Lacrosse Fall Classic and with the U.S. training team ahead of the 2022 World Championship. Wood also played four seasons professionally with Athletes Unlimited following her time in Chapel Hill.
Wood will take over for long-time assistant Phil Barnes, who is retiring to spend more time with family. Barnes joined the staff in 2004 and helped Carolina win three National Championships, while being named IWLCA Assistant Coach of the Year twice.
"I want to thank Phil for all he's done for us over the last 20-plus years," added Levy. "He helped build the foundation for one of the country's top lacrosse programs and we're grateful for all his work. We wish him nothing but the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life."
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Lacrosse
Goalie
/ Women's Lacrosse
Defender
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