George Washington University Athletics
George Washington Names Tracy Coyne New Head Lacrosse Coach
9/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
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WASHINGTON - George Washington Director of Athletics and Recreation Patrick Nero has named Tracy Coyne Head Coach of the GW lacrosse program entering the 2014-15 academic year.
The 2006 NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year brings a proven record of success to GW after taking over Notre Dame's inaugural varsity program and turning it into a perennial powerhouse that included a Big East Conference Championship, two NCAA Championship Quarterfinal appearances and a trip to the Final Four. Coach Coyne brings 25 years of coaching experience as she becomes GW's fourth Head Coach in the history of the 14-year-old program.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Coyne to the GW family and have no doubt that she will help the lacrosse program both set and achieve lofty goals," said Nero. "Her passion for the sport, reputation and history of winning makes her a great fit for GW, and we are very fortunate to employ her services."
Coach Coyne was named the inaugural Head Coach of Notre Dame in the fall of 1996 and laid the groundwork that led to extraordinary success through its first 15 years as a varsity program. From its first year as a varsity team in 1997, Coach Coyne was the guiding force that helped transform the Fighting Irish into a national powerhouse, earning NCAA Championship berths six times from 2002-2011, including three straight appearances from 2008-10.
"It is truly an honor to be chosen as the Head Coach of the George Washington lacrosse team," Coach Coyne said. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics and Recreation Patrick Nero and Senior Associate Athletics Director Garrett Klassy for the opportunity to do what I love - coach women's lacrosse. I am elated to join an athletic department that has achieved unprecedented success under Patrick Nero's leadership and commitment to winning the right way. I am eager and ready to lead the Colonials in our pursuit of championships and am confident we will Raise High the Buff and Blue."
Coach Coyne's time with the Fighting Irish - who earned a No. 2 national ranking during the 2004 season - was highlighted when she was named the NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year after leading her squad to the 2006 Final Four. In 2009, Coach Coyne guided Notre Dame to a Big East Championship title which was followed by a trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals. She developed two Tewaaraton Trophy finalists, an award given annually to the most outstanding lacrosse player in the nation, while seven players were named to the distinguished annual watch list. The three-time Big East Coach of the Year (2004, 2006 and 2008) saw three players named Big East Attack Player of the Year and three tabbed Big East Midfielder Player of the Year.
In addition to her success at Notre Dame, Coach Coyne spent two seasons as the Head Coach at Denison University from 1987-89, followed by a seven-year stint at Roanoke College where she guided the Maroons to five conference titles, five NCAA Championship appearances and two Final Fours while garnering ODAC Coach of the Year honors twice and 1990 NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year accolades.
Coach Coyne worked as an assistant coach at Duquesne during the 2012 season before serving as the Head Coach of Washington & Jefferson College in 2013 and assistant coach at Dartmouth College during the 2014 campaign. As the Head Coach of the Canadian Women's National Team from 1999-2005, Coach Coyne rebuilt the squad after it was disbanded following the 1997 season and guided it to fourth-place finishes at the 2001 and 2005 World Cups.
In 25 seasons, Coach Coyne compiled 265 wins, which ranks 11th all-time among NCAA women's lacrosse coaches. She was honored with the 2012 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) Diane Geppi-Aikens Award for lifetime achievement and is an honorary member of the Notre Dame Monogram Club. She has coached 48 All-Americans and three ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
