University of Maryland Eastern Shore names Duane Tolson as head women's flag football coach

 
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has announced the hiring of Duane Tolson as the head coach of the newly established UMES women's flag football team.

 
"As we prepare to launch our women's flag football program, we are excited to welcome Coach Tolson to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore," said Vice President of Athletics Tara A. Owens. "Coach Tolson has shown the ability to develop and build competitive teams while possessing a great knowledge of the game. With his guidance on and off the field, UMES will serve as a model for the promotion and growth of women's flag football. We also look forward to contributing to the sport's development at the collegiate level and welcome members of our community to support this initiative."

 
Tolson brings more than 20 years of coaching, leadership, and sports administration experience to the Hawks.
A respected coach and program builder, Tolson has dedicated his career to developing athletes, cultivating winning cultures, and expanding opportunities in girls' and women's flag football. His experience spans the high school, adult, and league levels, where he has earned a reputation for building disciplined and competitive teams while emphasizing leadership, accountability, and personal growth.

 
Tolson most recently served as head girls flag football coach at KIPP Legacy, where he was promoted to lead the program in after five seasons as an assistant coach at KIPP College Preparatory. Tolson helped establish KIPP Legacy as one of the area's rising programs, guiding the team to a 10-1-1 record during the 2026 spring season and a postseason championship game appearance.

 
As head coach, Tolson directed all aspects of the program, including practice planning, player development, game preparation, offensive and defensive strategy, and in-game management. He also emphasized building a culture rooted in accountability, confidence, sportsmanship, academic excellence, and leadership while mentoring student-athletes through individualized instruction and competitive practice environments.

 
In his five seasons as an assistant coach at KIPP College Prep, Tolson was crucial in assisting with practice planning, skill development, game strategy, and player mentorship while helping establish a disciplined, team-first culture.

 
Beyond the scholastic level, Tolson has been a driving force in the growth of flag football throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2015, he founded the Coastal Women's Flag Football League, creating competitive opportunities for women while overseeing league operations, tournament planning, scheduling, team recruitment, event logistics, and player development. His leadership has helped expand participation and provide a platform for athletes to compete at a high level.

 
Since 2008, Tolson has also owned and operated the MESPORTS Coed Sports League, managing league administration, scheduling, marketing, event coordination, and coach development. His experience as a league director has provided valuable expertise in program management, organizational leadership, and creating positive competitive experiences for athletes of all ages.

 
Tolson has also coached several successful men's, women's, and coed flag football teams throughout the Washington, D.C., and Maryland region. Since 2017, he has served as head coach of the Alter Egos men's, women's, and coed flag football teams, leading player development, tactical preparation, and team culture across league and tournament competition. He previously served as owner and head coach of the Young Guns Coed Flag Football Team from 2008 to 2013, head coach of the Sharks Women's Flag Football Team from 2013 to 2015, and co-head coach of the Capitol Punishment Women's Flag Football Team from 2015 to 2016.

 
Earlier in his coaching career, Tolson led the girls junior varsity basketball program at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, while also serving as the school's summer league girls basketball head coach. Those experiences laid the foundation for his coaching philosophy centered on fundamentals, teamwork, discipline, and athlete development.

 
"It is an exciting time at UMES," Tolson said. "I want to thank the University leadership team for officially bringing women's flag football to UMES and for choosing me to lead the program. We are going to build a team of young ladies who will proudly and positively represent UMES on the field, in the classroom and in the community."
 

Tolson was born in Washington, D.C. and is a 2000 graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Tolson will lead a UMES women's flag football program in its inaugural season. UMES announced the addition of the women's flag football in June and will compete as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
 
 

ABOUT HAWK ATHLETICS


The University of Maryland Eastern Shore sponsors an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program. The University currently fields teams in 15 sports: women's and men's volleyball, women's bowling, women's and men's golf, women's and men's cross country, women's and men's basketball, women's and men's indoor track & field, women's and men's outdoor track & field, softball, and baseball.
 

The UMES women's volleyball, bowling, basketball, softball, track & field, and cross country programs compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). UMES golf, baseball, and men's volleyball compete as members of the Northeast Conference (NEC). In June, UMES announced the addition of women's flag football which will compete in the MEAC beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.