Michigan is looking for two new lacrosse coaches. The school announced Tuesday that it will not renew the contracts of both men’s coach John Paul and women’s coach Jenny Ulehla.
It’s a move that comes after a season in which the men’s and women’s teams combined for an 1-10 record in the Big Ten. Overall, the teams combined to go 13-18 in the 2017 season.
Paul led the Wolverines men to an 8-1 start this season, including their first-ever win over a ranked opponent in No. 10 Penn on March 11 and thier first appearance in the Nike/US Lacrosse Top 20. However, in a strong year for the Big Ten, Michigan did not win a conference game.
Paul ends his career with Michigan as its first and only coach, guiding the Wolverines from the club level to Division I in 2012. After six seasons, he put together a record of 23-61 and won two conference games, with this year's 8-6 record the school's first winning season.
Before making the jump to the varsity level, Paul led the Michigan club program for 14 seasons, winning three MCLA national championships. He’s a 1994 graduate of the school and worked in the athletic department for five years.
Proud of all we've accomplished. Disappointed of course, but excited for next chapter & will always be here for team as alum, mentor, fan.
— John Paul (@JohnPaulUM) May 2, 2017
"We are extremely grateful to John for his personal and professional investment in helping to build the varsity lacrosse program," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a press release. "John has invested over two decades in the growth of lacrosse at the University of Michigan and we owe a debt of gratitude to John for getting the men's lacrosse team to this point. Building a program is no easy task and, through his efforts, we are in position to take another step competitively on the national level."
Like Paul, Ulehla recruited the women’s program’s first class in 2012. Ulehla came to Michigan after serving as an assistant at Florida, and she previously had been the head coach at James Madison and Temple. In 10 seasons at those two schools, Ulehla had a record of 110-71 and led JMU to six NCAA tournament appearances, including a semifinal berth in 2000.
In four seasons under Ulehla, Michigan had a 20-49 overall record. In Big Ten play, the Wolverines finished 1-21 in those four seasons.
The lone conference win came this year, when Michigan got a game-winning goal from Kim Coughlan to beat Ohio State in overtime. After starting the season 0-5, Michigan finished 5-12 — the fourth consecutive losing season.
"After evaluating our women's lacrosse program, I have determined that a change is necessary at this time," Manuel said. "We are thankful to Jenny for her efforts in starting the program, and wish her success in the future."
Next season, both the men's and women's teams will play in the new South Competition and Performance complex, a lacrosse-specific facility that will seat 2,000 fans and include "comprehensive sport performance and locker room facilities."