Brian McGurn Named Assistant Coach

Oct. 3, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Brian McGurn, who helped the Maryland women's lacrosse team to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and a 28-12 record over the past two seasons, has been named an assistant coach at Yale.

McGurn joins the staff of Laura Field, who was named interim Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse this past spring.

"I am thrilled to announce the addition of Brian to our staff," said Field. "In addition to being a great player, he is an outstanding recruiter and dynamic teacher of the game. Brian has already made his impact felt in his first week on the job and I know that he will continue to be a tremendous addition to our Yale family."

With the Terrapins McGurn coached defenders, midfielders and goalies while working under ACC Coach of the Year Cathy Reese. Last season he helped Dana Dobbie become one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Trophy and one of four finalists for the Honda Sports Award. The Terps, who were ranked as high as No. 2 in the national poll, beat Yale 13-7 in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The team had eight All-America selections, 10 All-South Region selections and 10 All-ACC selections in McGurn's tenure.

Before joining the Maryland staff McGurn spent two years directing camps and clinics for players of various ages in the Atlanta area. Prior to that he was an assistant men's lacrosse coach at his alma mater, Gettysburg College, for two seasons. As defensive coordinator, he helped the Bullets to the 2002 national championship game. That season, Gettysburg was fourth in the country in goals-against average.

McGurn began his coaching career as an assistant at Lynchburg College. After two seasons there, he went on to be the defensive coordinator for three seasons at Franklin and Marshall College. He was part of a staff that helped rebuild the Diplomat program and lead the team a 9-6 record in 2001 -- its first winning season since 1996.

As a player, McGurn was a Division III first team All-America defenseman in 1995 after earning honorable mention recognition in 1994. He was a three-time all-conference selection and was team captain as a senior. In 2001, he was invited to try out for the 2002 U.S. World Team.

A native of Northbrook, Ill., McGurn earned his degree in history from Gettysburg in 1995. He earned a master's degree in educational leadership from Lynchburg College last spring.

report by Sam Rubin '95 (sam.rubin@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity