POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Vassar College Director of Athletics and Physical Education
Michelle Walsh announced Monday morning the hiring of
John McCreery as the ninth head coach of the Brewer men's lacrosse program. McCreery replaced Marc Graham, who was named as the head coach at Eastern Connecticut State University recently.
"We're excited to welcome John back to the Vassar family," said Walsh. "He was an integral part of the coaching staff that guided the program to its first ever Liberty League playoff appearance two years ago. We look forward to seeing John lead the program to continued growth on the field, in the classroom, and in the Vassar community."
"I am humbled and honored to be selected as the ninth head coach of the men's lacrosse program at Vassar," said McCreery. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics and Physical Education,
Michelle Walsh, and the entire search committee for this great opportunity to lead the Vassar men's lacrosse team into a new chapter."
McCreery returns to the Vassar sidelines after spending one year at Williams College in Williamstown, MA as an assistant coach, helping the Ephs to a 6-4 record in the ultra-competitive New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
Prior to that, McCreery served as the defensive coordinator and first assistant at Vassar from 2015-2017. In 2017 the Vassar staff was honored as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year when the Brewers made their first ever playoff appearance as the third seed. The 2017 Vassar defense allowed just 8.63 goals per game and their man-down was ranked second in the Liberty League.
Also during that time, VC saw 11 players earn All-Liberty League honors, including its first First Team honoree since the 2010 season. McCreery also mentored the Liberty League Rookie of the Year in James Thomas in 2016, and assisted VC's first lacrosse All-American in Liam Moriarty in 2017.
Before joining the Vassar staff, McCreery served as the head coach of the men's lacrosse team at Adams State University from 2012 to 2014. In addition to providing overall leadership, management, and planning of the program, McCreery was responsible for hiring and developing the Grizzlies' coaching staff and monitoring academic performance of the student athletes. He coached, 33, all-league players in three years, which included a league Defensive Player of Year and a Rookie of the Year.
As an assistant coach with the Adams State Grizzlies from 2010 to 2012, McCreery was involved in the overall development of lacrosse as the team transitioned into NCAA Division II status in 2010. McCreery was engaged in scouting, evaluating, and recruiting student athletes, and grew the roster from 35 to 65 players.
Prior to coaching at Adams State, McCreery served as the head coach at the University of California-Santa Cruz from 2009 to 2010. He led the Banana Slugs to a 10-5 record and a No. 19 MCLA Division II national ranking in 2010.
From 2006 to 2009, McCreery was the head coach and director of the lacrosse program at the University of Mississippi. While a university student, McCreery redirected a struggling program into a competitive one, leading the Rebels to a combined record of 19-16 during his time in Oxford.
McCreery got his start in coaching at the high school level, serving as the director of lacrosse at Palos Verdes (2005-06) and as the head women's coach at Woodside (2004) in California. McCreery graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2010 and earned a B.A. in history.
"The main goal for this season is to create a strong team culture that will be instrumental for long lasting success," said McCreery. "The long term goal for the team is to be a perennial power in the talented and competitive Liberty League."
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MCCREERY:
George McCormack, Head Coach, Williams College: "John is a tireless worker whose attention to detail separates him from others. John goes out of his way to develop strong and meaningful relationships with his players while also being very demanding is regards to their commitment level. We wish him only the best at Vassar and know he will be all in when it comes to competing in the Liberty League.
Marc Graham, Head Coach, Eastern Connecticut State University: "He did an outstanding job as the defensive coordinator, recruiter, and with the organization and planning of our team orders and spring break trips. After our Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2017, I nominated John for IMLCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He was a finalist for the award and recognized as such at our national convention. But his biggest strength is as a relationship builder. John has a natural gift for establishing and forging strong relationships with recruits, and then maintaining those relationships with the players. I am confident that he will continue to build the program into a contender for a Liberty League championship."
Jason Lamb, Director of Athletics & Head Coach, Southern Virginia University: "John is a great fit for Vassar College, he knows the school and it's values, he can compete at the highest level within NCAA Division III men's lacrosse and most of all he is a player's coach. I'm excited to see John as a head coach again, his experiences will advance the team right away.
John McCreery is truly one of the best men I know, inside or outside of this great game!"
Kyle Cherry, Junior Midfielder, Vassar College: "Coach McCreery brings a special type of energy to the team, and it helped us reach the Liberty League playoffs in 2017. I'm ecstatic to have him back this year, and excited to see what he learned in his time away and what else he'll bring to the table."
| Coaching Career |
|
|
|
| School |
Position |
Seasons |
Years |
| Williams |
Assistant |
2018 |
1 |
| Vassar |
Assistant |
2015-17 |
3 |
| Adams State |
Head |
2012-14 |
3 |
| Adams State |
Assistant |
2010-12 |
1 |
| UC-Santa Cruz |
Head |
2009-10 |
1 |
| Ole Miss |
Head |
2006-09 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
--VASSAR--