LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Southern College head women's lacrosse coach Kara Reber has announced the hiring of Abby McFerren as a full-time assistant coach for the Moccasins.

McFerren joins the full-time coaching staff after serving as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2026 season, a member of the 2026 IWLCA Division II Coaching Staff of the Year that helped guide Florida Southern to the program's second NCAA Division II National Championship. 

"We are thrilled to have Abby joining us in a full-time role as an assistant in our program," stated head coach Kara Reber. "Not only was she a phenomenal student-athlete who went through the program herself, but she played an integral role last year during our National Championship run.  Abby has an incredible lacrosse IQ.  She communicates and relates to the student-athletes really well.  We are so fortunate she has decided to come into coaching full-time and will absolutely be a huge asset to the program moving forward."

McFerren is no stranger to the Moccasin program, having spent five seasons as a student-athlete on the women's lacrosse team from 2021- 2025. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 2024. During her collegiate career, she helped establish Florida Southern as one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II while developing a deep understanding of the team's culture, standards, and expectations. McFerren was a two-time IWLCA All-American and a two-time USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American. 

Following her playing career, McFerren seamlessly transitioned into coaching, returning to her alma mater as a volunteer assistant for the 2026 season. Her familiarity with the program and ability to connect with student-athletes played an important role in Florida Southern's run to the national championship.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to join the team full-time," said McFerren, "and I look forward to being able to give back to the program that shaped who I am today."

Florida Southern is coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, capturing the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship and adding another milestone to the storied tradition of Moccasin women's lacrosse. McFerren now begins the next chapter of her Florida Southern career as she helps lead the program into the future.