Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Drew Delaney announced additions to his coaching staff for the 2020 season on Wednesday. Returning all three assistants from the 2019 campaign, Delaney introduced Tyler Houston, '16, as the newest member to the staff.
"We are excited to be able to return a talented group of coaches to develop our players both on and off the field," Delaney said. "The addition of Coach Houston will only be an asset, as all these coaches have a great mix of energy, enthusiasm, and experience that will be a tremendous for the student-athletes in our program."
Houston returns to UMW after coaching at the high school and international levels. As a student-athlete, Houston played defense at UMW for 3 years and was a two-time captain his junior and senior year. Houston served as the head coach of Fredericksburg Academy for two years and was the head of the lacrosse program, 6th-12th grades, for one year at Sayre School in Lexington, Kentucky. He has also spent the past 4 years as the Defensive Coordinator for the Swiss National Lacrosse Team, coaching them in the 2016 European Championships in Budapest, Hungary as well as the 2018 World Games in Netanya, Israel. Houston will work specifically with the Defense and Man-Down unit.
Beyond the addition of Houston, Delaney returns his entire staff from the 2019 season. Ian Gallagher, who has served on every one of Delaney's coaching staffs, returns for his fourth season, where he will continue in his role as the defensive coordinator, goalie coach, and working with the extra-man unit. Patrick Finn will begin his third season, and second in the role of offensive coordinator. Finn will also work with the extra-man unit, oversee the face-off unit, and specifically be responsible for the attack position. Rounding out the staff and enter his second season, Brendan Megan returns to work with Finn on the offensive side of the ball, coaching the midfield position, as well as working with the face-off unit. Off the field, Megan serves as the coaching staffs recruiting coordinator.
Delaney is pleased with the continuity of the coaching staff, given the large turnover his roster faces heading into the 2020 season. "Not only did we graduate 13 seniors in 2019, we also lost players who had been playing significant roles since their freshmen and sophomore years," he commented. "Our team for the upcoming season is young, not only in age, but also in the way of experience. And that, in a lot of ways, is exciting for the players and coaches to come at this season with a fresh set of eyes, energy, and enthusiasm."
Mary Washington will open the 2020 campaign on February 8, hosting Hampden-Sydney College on the Battleground Athletic Complex at 1:00 PM.