Sean Kirwan Hired as Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach
By: Kyle Relf
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HANOVER, N.H. — Mike Harrity, Dartmouth’s Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, has announced the hiring of Sean Kirwan as the head coach of the Dartmouth men’s lacrosse program.
“A champion at multiple levels of lacrosse, Sean Kirwan is the perfect fit for Dartmouth,” said Harrity. “From our first conversation, it became clear that Sean’s passion, contemporary vision, humility and steadfast commitment to the student-athlete experience will position our students to maximize their potential on and off the field. We are excited to welcome Sean, Taylor, Cameron and Calvin to the Dartmouth Team!”
Kirwan spent the last seven seasons as the offensive coordinator at Virginia, where he helped lead the Cavaliers to national championships in 2019 and 2021, along with three Final Four appearances and a pair of ACC titles. Under Kirwan, the Virginia offense ranked among the top three nationally in goals per game in four different seasons. The 2023 Cavalier attack, which was instrumental in the team’s run to the national semifinal, finished as the country’s top scoring offense with 17.24 goals per game and set a new program record for total goals in a season (293). Kirwan was named the 2021 IMLCA Assistant Coach of the Year after helping guide Virginia to consecutive national titles.
| WHAT THEY’RE SAYING |
| “Sean Kirwan has a beautiful mind when it comes to the sport of lacrosse. His ability to adjust in-game and allow his teams to flourish based on the varied personnel at his disposal over the years is extremely impressive. Dartmouth will play a creative and accountable brand of lacrosse. Most importantly, anyone who has played for Sean has a profound level of respect for him. He has a strong connection with his players that goes beyond the playing field.”
— Paul Carcaterra, ESPN Lacrosse Analyst |
| “All of us involved with Virginia lacrosse have raised our game and lacrosse IQ due to Sean Kirwan. I am a better coach due to the nine years of X’s and O’s jam sessions, the in-practice six-versus-six battles and witnessing first-hand how he brought together our offensive personnel and created astounding and startling production. Our players understand the game at an elite level due to Sean’s teaching skills and extensive video sessions. Our offenses at Brown and Virginia finished at the top of most offensive categories during Sean’s tenure. I am forever grateful to have shared the past nine years with a great coach and friend.”
— Lars Tiffany, Virginia Men’s Lacrosse Coach |
| “Dartmouth landed a fantastic coach in Sean Kirwan. I’m thrilled for Sean and his family as they head to Hanover to build this program. He’s a great mentor, leader and motivator who will do great things for the Big Green!”
— Drew Kelleher, UMass Lowell Men’s Lacrosse Coach |
| “As a player, Sean was always a student of the game and made his teammates around him better. Getting to coach and work with him at Tufts was a cherished experience, and to see him head off to continued success brings nothing but pride and admiration. Coach Kirwan is a winner and has had success at every level and every team he has been a part of. I look forward to seeing his success continue!”
— Mike Daly, Brown Men’s Lacrosse Coach |
| “Coach Kirwan has been an integral part of Coach Tiffany’s staff and our team success during his time here at Virginia. We will miss him, but we know Dartmouth has hired a great coach, and person, on and off the field.”
— Carla Williams, Virginia Director of Athletics |
“I am honored to be named the next head men’s lacrosse coach at Dartmouth College,” Kirwan said. “From the minute my conversations started, it became crystal clear that Mike Harrity and his staff have a vision and enthusiasm that make me a true believer that this is a place where we can accomplish tremendous success together.”
“Simply put, there has never been a better time to be a part of the Dartmouth community and athletic department. My family and I can’t wait to get started. Go Big Green!”
A 2012 Tufts University graduate, Kirwan coached 18 All-Americans during his tenure at Virginia, including recent two-time Tewaaraton Award finalist and three-time first teamer Connor Shellenberger. Another three-time All-American, Matt Moore, broke the program’s single-season and career points records under Kirwan’s tutelage after transitioning from midfield to attack. Additionally, Kirwan developed consecutive ACC Rookie of the Year honorees in Michael Kraus (2017) and Moore (2018).
Prior to his seven-year stint at Virginia, Kirwan spent two seasons running the Brown offense with two Ivy League titles and a Final Four appearance to his credit. During the 2015 season, his first on the Bears’ staff, Kirwan helped Brown win 12 games, its highest total since 2009, to set the stage for a program-best 16 victories the following season. His offense was especially potent in 2016 with a nation-leading 16.32 goals per game. Dylan Molloy was honored with the Tewaaraton Award as the top male collegiate lacrosse player in 2016, having led the country with 116 points, and becoming the first in program history to earn the prestigious accolade. Molloy was also named the Ivy League Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2016.
Kirwan coached under Lars Tiffany, a two-time ACC Coach of the Year recipient, at both Brown and Virginia. Tiffany earned back-to-back Ivy League Coach of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016 — both seasons with Kirwan on the staff.
Kirwan played collegiately and began his coaching career at Division III Tufts, where he helped the Jumbos win their first-ever national championship as part of his record-setting playing career that featured 150 goals — the program’s top mark at the time. He joined the coaching staff following his 2012 graduation and spent two seasons leading the team’s offense before entering the Division I coaching ranks prior to the 2015 season.
The Jumbos won the 2014 national championship with Kirwan serving as the offensive coordinator to complement back-to-back conference titles. The 2014 team amassed 423 goals, which stood as the highest single-season total by any team in history across all NCAA divisions at the time.
Kirwan gained additional coaching experience at the professional level, spending multiple seasons implementing offensive schemes for the Boston Cannons and the Cannons Lacrosse Club. In 2021, Kirwan’s offense ranked as the second most efficient attack in Premiere Lacrosse League history. Additionally, he assisted with draft strategy and roster management.
A native of Boonton Township, New Jersey, Kirwan earned a bachelor’s degree in child development and was a two-time All-American (2011 and 2012), plus a 2012 Academic All-American, at Tufts.
