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UPDATED MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 AT 3:32 P.M. ET

Michelle Tumolo is leaving Wagner to become the head coach at Army, the service academy officially announced Monday. She called it a “life-changing opportunity.”

Wagner posted an opening for a head women’s lacrosse coach on the NCAA website Saturday.

Chris Jastrzembski, recently of ESPN, tweeted Sunday the news of Tumolo’s impending move to Army, citing multiple sources. Spectrum News sports reporter John Johnson confirmed the information Monday morning.

USA Lacrosse Magazine had independently confirmed the news with a source familiar with the hiring process.

Tumolo, the former Syracuse All-American and current player with Athletes Unlimited and the U.S. national team, had been the Seahawks head coach since July 2018 and compiled a 29-13 record at the school. She led Wagner to a 16-4 mark, its second straight NEC championship and an NCAA tournament opening-round victory in 2019. The Seahawks fell short of a conference three-peat this spring, losing to Mount St. Mary’s in overtime in the NEC final.

At Army, Tumolo will take the reins from Kristen Skiera, who was hired at Virginia Tech earlier this month. She inherits a program that’s still somewhat in its infancy. Army elevated its women’s lacrosse team from club to varsity status under Skiera’s watch in 2016.

After consecutive 5-12 seasons in 2016 and 2017, the Black Knights have posted four straight winning campaigns — including a perfect 7-0 mark in the abbreviated 2020 season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were 5-4 this year, rallying from an 0-3 start to earn a Patriot League tournament berth before bowing out against Lehigh.

Army graduated all-time leading scorer Jackie Brattan but brings back another first-team All-Patriot League attacker in Caroline Raymond.

Skiera offered her congratulations to Tumolo on Twitter. The two of them apparently talked last week with Tumolo tweeting that she “will never forget the conversation,” thanking Skiera for her work with the program and saying that she promises “to take care of it.”

It has been a busy offseason already, especially for people connected to the Syracuse women’s lacrosse program. Kayla Treanor (Syracuse), Jill Batcheller (Villanova) and now Tumolo have all been hired for head coaching jobs in the last week.

Vacancies remain at Canisius, Drexel, Virginia Commonwealth and Wagner. That’s not to mention three new Division I programs that are hiring in Clemson, Fairfield and Xavier — all three begin play in 2023 — or the high-profile Division III opening at Cortland.

ARMY PRESS RELEASE

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Army women's lacrosse has its next leader, as Army Director of Athletics Mike Buddie named Michelle Tumolo the Noto Family Head Women's Lacrosse Coach. Tumolo arrives in West Point after a three-year tenure as the head coach at Wagner College. Buddie believes Tumolo's demonstrated excellence as a player and coach will transform the program in the coming years. 

"We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Michelle Tumolo to be the next leader of our women's lacrosse program,"said Buddie. "After a nationwide search, it was clear that Michelle's experience and passion for developing student-athletes aligns perfectly with the Academy's core values of Duty, Honor and Country. Michelle was the clear choice to lead our women's lacrosse program and we cannot wait to see her take our program to new heights. I am beyond excited for our current and future Cadet-Athletes who will be guided by such a distinguished and elite leader."

Tumolo boasts an impressive resume both as a coach and a player. Under her leadership, Wagner became one of the top teams in the Northeast Conference (NEC), making the conference championship game in 2021 after winning the NEC title in 2019. Prior to Wagner, the former All-American made stops at Oregon, Florida and Syracuse as an assistant coach. 

"I am beyond excited and honored to be The Noto Family Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Army West Point! I want to first thank Kristine Fowler, Mike Buddie, Anthony Noto and the entire search committee for this life changing opportunity. The time I spent with each member of the committee, the more I learned about the greatness of this academy and program. I can't wait to lead these incredible young women, who have chosen a path of leadership and service. I can not wait to get started. Go Army!!" 

With Tumolo calling the shots at Wagner, the Seahawks posted a combined record of 29-13 while making two conference championship games and an NCAA Tournament appearance. The team's 16-4 mark in 2019 was good for the best winning percentage in the program's history. Along the way, Tumolo mentored five NEC First-Team selections, two players-of-the-year and seven academic honor roll students. 

Tumolo's experience as a player has helped her create a number of high-powered scoring offenses at her previous destinations. While in Eugene, Tumolo coordinated the Oregon offensive attack as their top assistant coach. Thanks to her insight, the Ducks set a number of school records in 2018, racking up 336 points for the second highest total in the program's history. 

Before Oregon, Tumolo spent two-years at the University of Florida where her offense led the NCAA in goals per game with 15.52. The Gators posted a 33-8 record in her two years with the program, making the NCAA tournament in both seasons.

As a player, Tumolo was one of the most dangerous attackers in Syracuse history, ranking third on the school's all-time points list with 278. In her junior season, Tumolo finished sixth on the NCAA points list with 78 while also being named a finalist for the Tewaarton Award - given every year to the nation's top women's lacrosse player. 

Tumolo's talents on the field helped land her a spot on Team USA, where she competed in the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Surrey, England in 2017. Her 12 goals and 17 assists helped Team USA take home the gold medal in England. After her outstanding performance in the tournament, Tumolo was one of seven U.S. players to be named to the All-World Team. Recently, she was named to the U.S. Women's Team training camp roster as they prepare for the 2022 Women's World Championship. 

Tumolo is set to become the second head coach in the program's six-year history and will lead an Army team that is returning a number of experienced starters who led the team to a 5-2 mark in conference play a season ago. 

The New Jersey native will make the short trip up the Hudson with her family, who are all thrilled to become a part of the West Point community.

"I have the best support system around with my family, my in-laws and my fiancé Lara, who all can not wait to be wearing the black and gold!" said Tumolo.

Kayla Treanor - Head Coach, Syracuse Women's Lacrosse: "Michelle Tumolo is one of a kind. She is competitive, loyal, creative and hard working. You will not find a coach who cares more about their players, staff and the community where she coaches. Although Michelle is an incredible coach, she is a much better friend. I am so thrilled for Michelle and Lara and I wish them luck on this amazing journey at Army West Point!"

Joe Alberici - Head Coach, Army West Point Men's Lacrosse:  "Michelle is a proven winner as a player and in her tenure as a head coach. Throughout the early stages of the search process, it became clear that her energy and passion will help build upon the strong foundation of our Women's Lacrosse Program. I am excited for Michelle to join the Army West Point Athletics family!" 

Anthony Noto - U.S.M.A '91, CEO of SoFi, benefactor who endowed Noto Family Head Women's Lacrosse Coach position: "We are incredibly excited to welcome Michelle and Lara to the Army West Point Family. I knew in minutes after talking to Michelle that she was the perfect leader to build on the strong foundation Kristen (Skiera) built over the last seven years to continue our drive to win a National Championship for West Point!"