JOLIET, Ill. – The University of St. Francis athletic department has announced that Brianna Hoffman has been elevated to the head coach position of the Fighting Saints competitive dance team.  She becomes the fifth coach in the history of the program.

Hoffman is no stranger to the team and has been part of the program for the past five years.  She spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach to Alexandra Whittenhall after competing as a member of the Fighting Saints' squad from 2022-25. 

"It is always great to have an alum take over the program because of their passion for it," said USF director of athletics Dave Laketa.  "Brianna has been fully engaged in the program since enrolling as a student six years ago.  She's bled brown and gold the entire time."

During her time as a student-athlete at USF, Hoffman was part of the 2024 squad that qualified for the NAIA National Championships for the first time in school history.  One year later, she was selected as the team's captain and garnered the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Champions of Character award as well as USF's Female Billy Manner Inspirational Saint award. 

Hoffman was a member of 11 first-place invitational finishes during her years of competing, including being on the team that set a school-record score of 93.65 at the USF Invitational on Feb. 24, 2024.  That squad also secured an eighth-place overall team finish at NAIA Nationals, a season in which Hoffman earned NAIA All-America Third Team accolades.

"Brianna was a key part of our success through the years, especially 2024, with her dedication to the team," continued Laketa.  "I know she will bring that same work ethic with her as she takes over the program."  

Hoffman is a 2025 graduate of St. Francis, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.