ITHACA, N.Y. – Ithaca College hall of fame men's lacrosse head coach Jeff Long has announced that he is retiring after 36 seasons with the program. Long, who also served as a women's soccer assistant coach for many years, is the all-time winningest coach in program history with an overall record of 362-182 and ranks 11th all-time across all divisions in collegiate lacrosse.

"This has simply been an incredible journey that has lasted more than half of my life span," stated Long. "The quality of life that my family and I have experienced on the South Hill and in the Ithaca Community is second to none. With 31 seasons of women's soccer and 36 seasons of men's lacrosse under my belt, I could not ask for anything more from Ithaca College. I walk away with fond memories, forever relationships, extremely proud of being a Bomber, and with no regrets."

Long took over as head coach in 1988 and turned Ithaca into one of the top programs in the region. He guided the Bombers to 19 seasons of 10 or more wins, including a program record 20 victories in 2016. That season, the Bombers reached the No. 1 ranking in the USILA Top 20 Poll and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division III Championship.

Long has taken home a litany of coaching accolades during his career. He was voted the Empire 8 Coach of the Year in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2014, and 2016. He was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Ithaca College Hall of Fame in 2010.

"Jeff Long is the ultimate team player who brought commitment, passion and tenacity to his work, first and foremost as the head men's lacrosse coach at IC for 36 years, but also as a colleague and community member," said Susan Bassett '79, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "I know that his effort was as high on his first day coaching as his last. There was no assignment that did not get his full and immediate attention. I know that everyone in Bomber nation wishes Coach Long and his family all the best in this next chapter of his life. I thank him on behalf of IC Athletics for his service as a member of our coaching staff. Personally, I am grateful that my life journey crossed paths with Jeff Long."

IC won four Empire 8 championships and made 10 NCAA appearances while Long was at the helm. He mentored more than 80 student-athletes to All-American honors. Within those All-Americans were Eli Gobrecht and Scott Sidnam, who were named USILA Defensive Player and Goalie of the Year in 2016.

As an assistant with women's soccer, Ithaca advanced to the NCAA playoffs 27 times and consecutively for 13 seasons (2003-15), while winning the national title in 1990 and 1991. The team was back in the national semifinals in 1998 and again in 2011.

"I am truly grateful to all my supervisors, fellow coaches, athletic trainers, and the staff who I have worked with all these years," Long continued. "I am especially appreciative of all the assistant coaches who have graced our sideline alongside of me whether on Lower Allen, Upper Terrace, or Higgins." 

Before coming to Ithaca, Long worked as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia. During Long's three seasons at Virginia, the team won two Atlantic Coast Conference titles and was a participant in the NCAA playoffs in each of those seasons. In 1986, the Cavaliers played in the national championship game, losing to North Carolina, 10-9, in overtime.

Long's first head coaching job was at the U.S. Naval Academy. He worked one year with the "B" team and another season with the preparatory school unit. Following his Navy tenure, Long was an assistant at Norfolk Academy for one year before moving to Alfred University, where he worked as a graduate assistant and earned a master's degree in education. He also spent one season at Washington and Lee University before joining the Virginia staff.

As a player, Long was a three-time All-American at Navy. He remains Navy's career points and assists leader and played on four NCAA playoff teams. Long graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He played on the U.S. national lacrosse teams in 1978 and 1986.

"Most importantly, I want to thank all the student-athletes who I have had the opportunity to recruit and coach over the years. We've shared every emotion that exists. We've traveled every path imaginable. We've overcome every obstacle that stood in our way.  We've grown stronger, together. Here's to the next chapter in all our lives," Long concluded.