UTICA, NY - Utica University Athletic Director Dave Fontaine recently announced the hiring of Sean Behan '15, G'18 as the Head Coach of the Utica University men's lacrosse program. Behan will be in charge of all facets of the program including scouting, recruiting, games and practice preparation, as well as day-to-day operations.
"I'm very excited to welcome home Sean Behan, '15, G' 18 as he becomes the next head men's lacrosse coach at Utica University," Fontaine said. "Sean has extensive knowledge of our lacrosse program as he was a four year varsity player and served four years as an Athletic Assistant at Utica. He brings the unique perspective of the Utica lacrosse tradition and will provide stability within our program. His experiences in coaching will help to develop and guide our team and maximize our potential on and off of the field. I'm looking forward to working with Sean and watching our program grow in a positive direction."
Following his time as Utica's assistant coach from 2015-19, Behan joined Skidmore College's coaching staff where he served as the lead assistant in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In 2021, Behan earned his first head coaching position at Medaille University where he led the Mavericks through the 2023 season.
"I would like to thank David Fontaine, Director of Athletics & Physical Education, as well as the search committee for giving me the opportunity to return back home to Utica University to lead the Pioneer men's lacrosse program," Behan said. "Utica University has shown a tremendous commitment to the student-athlete experience for as long as I can remember, and I am excited to continue providing an incredible college experience to the current and future Pioneers. The men's lacrosse program has a rich tradition and I look forward to embracing that tradition while continuing to enhance the culture and producing great young men. This opportunity is a dream come true and I cannot wait to hit the ground running with the program this Fall!"
Behan recently served as the lead assistant coach/defensive coordinator at The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY prior to returning to Utica.
The Utica alum earned his bachelors' degree in Criminal Justice – Economic Crime Investigation from Utica in 2015. He then earned a masters' degree in Financial Crime and Compliance Management from Utica in August 2018.
A four-year letterman at Utica, he helped the 2013 Pioneers to a then school-record nine victories and the program's first-ever appearance in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. In his career at Utica, he played in 48 games with 17 starts while competing at several positions including a long-stick midfielder, close defenseman, and a member of the man-down unit. Behan concluded his career with 25 ground balls, 20 caused turnovers and had three career goals on just four shots.
While in high school at Jamesville-Dewitt (Syracuse, NY), Behan was the recipient of the Junior Coach's Award (2009) and the Player's Sportsmanship Award (2010) for varsity football, and the Player's Sportsmanship Award (2011) for varsity lacrosse. He was also a member of the undefeated 2010 and 2011 NYS Class B State Champion Lacrosse teams for Jamesville Dewitt (44-0 combined), and finished his senior campaign as part of the No. 2 team in the country.
