University of Pennsylvania Men’s Lacrosse Program Announces Coaching Change

News Summary

The University of Pennsylvania has officially parted ways with head coach Mike Murphy after 16 seasons. This leadership change aims to elevate the men’s lacrosse team’s status within the Ivy League and national competitions. Murphy, the program’s all-time winningest coach, faced recent challenges, including a disappointing record in the 2025 season. Athletic director Alanna Wren emphasized the need for a new coaching direction, prompting a national search for a replacement. The program’s coaching position is expected to attract significant attention given its historical success.

Philadelphia, PA

The University of Pennsylvania has officially announced a leadership change in its men’s lacrosse program, parting ways with head coach Mike Murphy after 16 seasons. This decision comes as part of the university’s effort to elevate the team’s status in both Ivy League and national championship competitions.

In her announcement, athletic director Alanna Wren expressed gratitude for Murphy’s contributions to the program and its student-athletes. Wren noted that a transition in coaching leadership was deemed necessary to advance the program’s competitive standing.

Mike Murphy, who became head coach of the Quakers in 2010, is recognized as the all-time winningest coach in the history of Penn men’s lacrosse, with a career record of 109-96. His tenure included numerous accolades, such as being named Ivy League Coach of the Year and USILA Division I Coach of the Year in 2019. Under his leadership, the Quakers achieved several significant milestones, culminating in winning the Ivy League tournament in 2019 and reaching the NCAA quarterfinals in both 2019 and 2022.

However, the past few seasons have been challenging for the Quakers. They faced setbacks in the Ivy League tournament, falling to Princeton in the finals during the last two seasons, including the recent 2024 championship. In the 2025 season, the men’s lacrosse team recorded a disappointing 4-10 record, marking the worst performance since 2012.

Murphy’s coaching staff comprised several experienced coaches, including associate head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Abbott, defensive coordinator Casey Ikeda, and assistant coach Rob Forster. As part of the transition, the university has engaged with Elevate, an executive search firm, to initiate a national search for a new head coach, effective immediately.

The open coaching position at Penn is anticipated to draw considerable attention, given the university’s rich lacrosse history and its location in a region known for producing talented players. The Penn men’s lacrosse program boasts a tradition of success, with 14 NCAA tournament appearances since its inception in 1971, ten of which occurred during Murphy’s leadership. Additionally, the Quakers have claimed the Ivy League tournament title three times, with the last victory noted in 2022.

Murphy’s previous experience includes a notable coaching tenure at Haverford College, during which he also accumulated a significant number of wins. Players from the Penn program have shown their admiration for Murphy, acknowledging his dedication and the positive impact he had on their lives and sports careers.

Interestingly, the timing of Murphy’s dismissal has been seen as unusual, as it coincides with a critical time in the summer recruiting season. Currently, there are other head coach openings in Division I lacrosse, including at St. Bonaventure and VMI, while Hampton and Hobart have already filled their vacancies.

This change marks a new chapter for the Penn men’s lacrosse program, prompting anticipation for future developments as the search for a new head coach begins.

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Additional Resources

• Inside Lacrosse: Candidate Pool Emerges for Penn Head Coach Opening
• Penn Athletics: Change in Leadership of Men’s Lacrosse Program
• USA Lacrosse: Penn Parts Ways with Longtime Men’s Lacrosse Coach Mike Murphy
• Daily Pennsylvanian: Penn Men’s Lacrosse Coach Mike Murphy Not Returning
• Philly Lacrosse: Penn Moves on from Murphy as Head Coach
• Wikipedia: Lacrosse
• Google Search: Penn Michael Murphy Lacrosse
• Google Scholar: Penn Lacrosse Team
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Lacrosse
• Google News: Penn Men’s Lacrosse Program