One week after announcing that the university and Lars Tiffany would part ways, Virginia has named Kevin Cassese its next head coach. Cassese spent the 2024-26 seasons on Tiffany's staff overseeing the offense.
Prior to joining the Cavaliers, Cassese was the head coach at Lehigh from 2008-23 and the interim head coach at Duke in 2006.
"This is a dream come true," Cassese said in a statement. "UVA Men’s Lacrosse is a brotherhood built on a rich history, unbreakable bonds, and a passionate and persistent commitment to a championship standard unlike any other in our sport. The legends who have worn the orange and blue before us have set a bar of excellence that we will strive to honor every single day."
A 2018 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee, Cassese was an ACC standout at Duke from 2000-03. He was a two-time Tewaaraton Award finalist (2002-03), a three-time All-American (2001-03) and the recipient of the Lt. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Outstanding Midfielder award (2002). He was named the ACC Player of the Year in 2001.
Cassese now takes the reins of a team that finished first in the nation in assists per game (9.59) and fourth in points per game (23.65). After a slow start, Virginia caught fire and won the ACC championship before losing to Georgetown in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
