DUDLEY, Mass. – Shayne Lynch has been named the new head men's lacrosse coach at Nichols College, President Glenn M. Sulmasy and Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack Hayes announced on Monday evening.
"Shayne Lynch has demonstrated outstanding leadership in all of his coaching roles," said President Sulmasy. "I am thrilled that he will be taking the reigns of the Nichols lacrosse program."
"Shayne Lynch has had great experiences as a coach and as a student-athlete," said Hayes. "I am confident that they are all applicable to building a successful program at Nichols. This is an exciting day for Nichols lacrosse."
Lynch comes to Nichols after most recently serving as the Associate Head Coach at Holy Cross, spending four seasons on the sidelines for the Crusaders, holding the responsibilities of Defensive Coordinator.
In his first season with Holy Cross in 2019, Lynch helped guide the squad to a 7-7 record, securing wins over Navy, Brown, and Harvard. The team earned the fifth seed in the Patriot League (PL) postseason, a program best dating back to 1988. His defense finished the regular-season fifth in caused turnovers, eighth in scoring defense, and 15th in man-down defense in all of NCAA Division I.
Lynch coached All-PL First Team selection in defender Matt Farrell in 2019 prior to Sean New being selected in the first-round of the 2020 Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), the Crusaders first and only PLL selection. Most recently, Chris Conlin was named to the All-PL First Team as a defender in 2022 after garnering Second Team honors in 2021.
Prior to his time in Worcester, Lynch spent four seasons with the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) as the head coach and assistant athletic director from August 2015 to August 2018. While at NAPS, Lynch helped recruit, train, and develop future members of the Navy men's lacrosse team.
Before his stop at NAPS, Lynch was an assistant at Washington College. At Washington, Lynch was a part of a special team that made its way to the Division III Final Four with an 18-2 final record in the 2014 season. Lynch helped guide several players who were recognized as some of the Centennial Conference's (CC) as well as the nation's best players, including Casey McKnight who was All-CC for three seasons before being named an All-American and the Division III Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.
"I would like to thank President Sulmasy as well as VP and Director of Athletics Jack Hayes for their confidence in my abilities and trusting me to be the head men's lacrosse coach at Nichols College. My career to date has blessed me with many mentors, colleagues, and friends who have had a hand in preparing me to lead this program. I would like to express my appreciation for all of them, including Coach JL Reppert and the Holy Cross athletic department," said Lynch.
"It's a dream come true to be joining the supportive community at Nichols and to lead the Bison lacrosse program. I look forward to embracing the values of the college, engaging with our alumni, and getting to know our players and their families as we create a culture that will elevate the program to new heights. My wife Peggy and I couldn't be more excited to join the Herd on the Hill."
Lynch was a four-year letterwinner at Wesley College as a member of the Wolverines' lacrosse team, highlighted by being named the team captain in his final two seasons. After receiving his Bachelor's in Sports Management from Wesley in 2011, Lynch was awarded his Master's in History from Washington College in 2014.
