Brian Kelly Steps Down as Men's Lacrosse Coach

TOWSON, Md. – Goucher College head men's lacrosse coach Brian Kelly announced Tuesday that he is stepping down after 10 seasons of leading the Gopher program and a total of 15 years on the Goucher men's lacrosse staff including five years as an assistant.  A national search for Kelly's successor will begin immediately. 

"I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this program for such a long time. I have met some great people and lifelong friends, raised my family here, and learned a lot about myself and the world around me.," said Kelly, who was named the program's fourth head coach in September, 2012.  "As I start the next chapter, I will always be grateful to the Goucher men's lacrosse program for what it has given my family. I will miss the men I had the pleasure of coaching and walking the sidelines of Beldon Field on game days."

"Brian Kelly is a beloved member of our athletic department and the greater Goucher College community. I'm thankful for Brian's enduring commitment to his students, particularly his push to educate and broaden perspectives while sharing his personal experiences to make sure his guys leave Goucher better than when they came," said Goucher Director of Athletics and Associate Dean of Students Andrew Wu.  "We are hopeful that Brian will continue as a formal member of the community in another capacity, but no matter where the next step takes him, BK and the Kelly family will always be Gophers."

During Kelly's tenure as head coach he coached two USILA All-Americans and two Scholar All-Americans.  Two Goucher players were named the Landmark Conference Senior Scholar-Athlete in men's lacrosse, while he coached a total of 17 players that earned 22 Landmark All-Conference selections (nine First Team, 13 Second Team).  He guided the Gophers to three Landmark Conference tournament appearances in 2013, 2014 and 2018, including a championship game appearance in 2014.

Before assuming the top spot Kelly spent five seasons as an assistant coach to Kyle Hannan, during which time the Gophers made NCAA appearances in 2010 and 2012 after winning the Landmark Conference championship both seasons.  Goucher topped Washington College to open the 2012 postseason before falling to eventual national champion Salisbury.

One of the most well-respected members of the Goucher community, Kelly has been one of the most ardent supporters of all Gopher teams cheering on the sidelines and serving as the athletic department's game management supervisor.  During Finals week, Kelly could be seen cheering on all Goucher students as they traversed Van Meter Highway to take their final exams.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins who was an USILA All-America Honorable Mention selection for the Blue Jays in 1993, Kelly resides in Towson with wife Holly and son Will and daughter Grace, both members of the Goucher Class of 2022.  Will was a three-year member of the men's lacrosse program, while Grace served as the program's Director of Lacrosse Operations.