MACON, Ga. — Brian Gerrity, deputy athletic director and executive director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation, announced Friday afternoon the hiring of veteran lacrosse coach Ryan Danehy to head the Mercer men’s program.
Jim Cole, director of athletics at Mercer, said: “We are excited to announce Ryan as the next head coach for Mercer lacrosse. His passion, enthusiasm and energy were evident during his interview, and I look forward to watching him take Mercer men’s lacrosse to the next level.”
“This was a true national search with a fantastic pool of candidates ranging from sitting head coaches to top assistants to professional coaches,” Gerrity said. “Ryan’s personality, his coaching philosophy, his resume as a high-level player and his vision for the program set him apart through the hiring process.”
Danehy, who has spent more than 15 years coaching at the collegiate, professional and international levels, joined the Bucknell men’s lacrosse staff as an assistant coach in August 2018. Danehy spent the past two seasons at the University of Pennsylvania, first as a video coordinator and then as an assistant coach who primarily worked with the face-off unit and goalkeepers. During that time, he was also the offensive coordinator for the New York Lizards, a Major League lacrosse squad.
“I want to thank Jim Cole and Brian Gerrity for this incredible opportunity,” Danehy said. “When asked, ‘Why Mercer?’ it couldn’t have been an easier answer; excellence. When I met Jim and Brian, it was clear that this was more than just an athletic department; it is a family that will support me and my vision for the program. Everything they do is in the best interest of the student-athlete, whether it’s academically, personally or athletically. There’s a great foundation within the lacrosse program and I’m excited to continue to build, both on and off the field, starting this fall.”
From 2012 to 2014, Danehy served as Michigan’s offensive coordinator. During his final season in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines set a program record with 152 goals, which stood until 2017. Danehy also mentored Michigan’s first All-ECAC First Team selection, Kyle Jackson, and four All-ECAC Rookie Team honorees.
Danehy broke into collegiate coaching at Dartmouth, his alma mater. After spending his first two seasons as an assistant offensive coordinator, he transitioned to goalie coordinator and assistant defensive coordinator in 2009. He later moved to offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator in 2011, spending two seasons in those roles. Beyond his on-field and recruiting responsibilities, Danehy played a key role in fundraising and monitoring the educational development of his players.
In June 2017, Danehy was named the president and chairman of the Turkey Lacrosse Association; he led the country’s team that competed at the 2018 FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships.
A native of Billerica, Mass., Danehy graduated from Dartmouth in 2006. A four-year starter for the Big Green lacrosse team, he posted 84 points (73g-11a), including four (3g-1a) in the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance against Syracuse in 2003. He also was a long snapper for the football program.
Following his collegiate playing career, Danehy was selected 49th overall by the Boston Cannons in the 2006 Major League Lacrosse draft. He went on to spend five years in the league, playing for the Cannons and Chicago Machine.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
“The Mercer Athletic Department absolutely nailed it in making the decision to hire Ryan Danehy as the next head men’s lacrosse coach at Mercer University. He’s a passionate, hyper-competitive and ultra-committed coach, who has a proven track record of helping his players reach their potential as people, students, and athletes in that order. This is a home run for everyone who’s a fan of college lacrosse in general and Mercer University lacrosse specifically. Congrats to all sides!” – Andrew Towers, current head coach, PLL Chaos, former Dartmouth head coach, former MLL All-Star
”Mercer has made a tremendous decision in hiring Ryan Danehy. Ryan is an absolute winner and his passion, work ethic, love for his players and ability to develop student-athletes is in the upper echelon of Division lacrosse. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Ryan will do incredible things in Macon.” – Jon Torpey, High Point men’s lacrosse head coach
“I am very happy for Ryan to get this opportunity at Mercer. He has devoted his entire professional life to the sport of lacrosse. Mercer is getting an intelligent, passionate and hard working coach. One of Ryan’s biggest strengths is recruiting high level student-athletes, and I expect him to have great success at Mercer.” - Frank Fedorjaka, head coach Bucknell men’s lacrosse
“This is a home run hire for Mercer. Ryan is the complete package - someone that excels in all aspects coaching X’s and O’s while connecting with his players in addition to being one of the hardest working recruiters on the circuit. Congratulations to Ryan as well as Mercer lacrosse program and players.” - Joe Spallina, head women’s lacrosse coach, Stony Brook University; former coach/GM, New York Lizard