University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Greg Cannella Retires After 33 Seasons
August 29, 2025 | Men's Lacrosse
Cannella spent the last 31 seasons as head coach
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts men's lacrosse head coach Greg Cannella '88 announced his retirement on Friday (Aug. 29).
"For three-plus decades our men's lacrosse program has been directed by one of the most respected coaches in the sport," Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford stated. "To say we have been fortunate is an understatement. The second winningest coach in program history, coach Cannella's legacy is also widely recognized for the amazing personal growth of the young men who played for him."
Cannella totaled 256 career wins in 31 seasons as the UMass head coach, led the Minutemen to nine NCAA tournament berths, a 2006 NCAA championship game appearance and captured eight conference championships.
"Greg's leadership extended well beyond sport -- he used his coaching role to do the most important work of an influential mentor: teaching and human development," Bamford continued. "In this way, he has earned the respect of so many associated with UMass lacrosse, just like his mentor, legendary head coach Dick Garber. On behalf of our extremely grateful department, I want to extend our appreciation to Greg for his remarkable career as a Minuteman student-athlete and coach. We wish him a long, healthy and prosperous retirement from the coaching profession."
"It's been an incredible honor to represent the University of Massachusetts, Coach Garber, his family, all of our Alumni, players, coaches, families and friends of the program," Cannella said. "I took tremendous pride, as an alum, coming to work each day, sitting in Coach Garber's seat, and doing my best to carry on his legacy and the tradition of excellence he set here at the University. I consider myself very lucky to have had this opportunity to be part of the lives of so many great people, here at UMass. Those relationships are ones I will cherish always."
"Thank you to my family, Laurie, Vance and Virginia for enduring the ups and downs of this profession, with unwavering love and support," Cannella continued. "Thank you to the Athletic Directors, Bob Marcum, Glenn Wong, Ian McCaw, Bob Goodhue, John McCutcheon, and of course Ryan Bamford for their tremendous support of our program. Thanks again to all our players over the years, our alumni group, families and friends - I did this for you all! UMass is a special place, and I will forever be in debt for what the University has provided for me. I look forward to being part of the future of our men's lacrosse program and all our other teams as well."
Following the team's run to the 2006 NCAA Division I championship game, the first such appearance by a team from New England, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association named Cannella the USILA National Coach of the Year. He also guided UMass to the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking and finished his distinguished career with a 256-181 overall record (.586).
Cannella earned CAA Coach of the Year honors in 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019, was recognized as New England Coach of the Year five times and collected four ECAC Coach of the Year awards. Before his retirement, he held the distinction as the longest-tenured head coach across all NCAA Division I men's and women's lacrosse.
Cannella's teams produced three Tewaaraton Award finalists, 52 USILA All-America selections, 123 All-New England picks, 118 all-conference honorees and 11 positional league Players of the Year award winners. Under Cannella, the program also totaled 15 Academic All-Americans, 78 New England Scholar-Athletes and 40 academic all-conference selections.
Cannella took the reins of the UMass lacrosse program in November 1994 with a deep appreciation for its storied tradition. A two-time letterwinner under legendary head coach Richard F. Garber — known as the "Father of New England Lacrosse" — in 1986 and 1987, Cannella also served two seasons as an assistant coach for Garber before being promoted to lead the program.
Together with Garber (1955–90), Massachusetts became the only program to feature one head coach in the 300-win club (Garber) and another in the 200-win club (Cannella), with both posting all of those victories at the same institution.
Cannella earned a bachelor's degree in physical education while playing at UMass from 1986–87. A two-year starter and member of two NCAA Tournament teams, he finished his career with 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists).
Before arriving in Amherst, Cannella starred at Nassau (N.Y.) Community College, where he earned first team All-America honors and helped lead Nassau to the 1985 Junior College National Championship.
A native of Lynbrook, N.Y., Cannella was one of the most prolific scorers in Lynbrook High School history. He was a high school All-America selection and remains among the program's all-time leading scorers.
Cannella's leadership extended beyond the field. He served as president of the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association from 1998–2000. He also launched and chaired the NEILA Scholar-Athlete Team, established in 1999. In addition, Cannella served on the NCAA Championships Regional Advisory Committee from 1997–2004, was a USILA regional poll voter from 1997–2001 and was a regional voter for USILA All-America selections. He was a longtime member of the prestigious Tewaaraton Award selection committee, serving from the award's inception through 2017.
Cannella and his wife, Laurie, reside in Hadley. They have two children, a son, Vance, and daughter, Virginia.
Click Here for Cannella's detailed bio
"For three-plus decades our men's lacrosse program has been directed by one of the most respected coaches in the sport," Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford stated. "To say we have been fortunate is an understatement. The second winningest coach in program history, coach Cannella's legacy is also widely recognized for the amazing personal growth of the young men who played for him."
Cannella totaled 256 career wins in 31 seasons as the UMass head coach, led the Minutemen to nine NCAA tournament berths, a 2006 NCAA championship game appearance and captured eight conference championships.
"Greg's leadership extended well beyond sport -- he used his coaching role to do the most important work of an influential mentor: teaching and human development," Bamford continued. "In this way, he has earned the respect of so many associated with UMass lacrosse, just like his mentor, legendary head coach Dick Garber. On behalf of our extremely grateful department, I want to extend our appreciation to Greg for his remarkable career as a Minuteman student-athlete and coach. We wish him a long, healthy and prosperous retirement from the coaching profession."
"It's been an incredible honor to represent the University of Massachusetts, Coach Garber, his family, all of our Alumni, players, coaches, families and friends of the program," Cannella said. "I took tremendous pride, as an alum, coming to work each day, sitting in Coach Garber's seat, and doing my best to carry on his legacy and the tradition of excellence he set here at the University. I consider myself very lucky to have had this opportunity to be part of the lives of so many great people, here at UMass. Those relationships are ones I will cherish always."
"Thank you to my family, Laurie, Vance and Virginia for enduring the ups and downs of this profession, with unwavering love and support," Cannella continued. "Thank you to the Athletic Directors, Bob Marcum, Glenn Wong, Ian McCaw, Bob Goodhue, John McCutcheon, and of course Ryan Bamford for their tremendous support of our program. Thanks again to all our players over the years, our alumni group, families and friends - I did this for you all! UMass is a special place, and I will forever be in debt for what the University has provided for me. I look forward to being part of the future of our men's lacrosse program and all our other teams as well."
Following the team's run to the 2006 NCAA Division I championship game, the first such appearance by a team from New England, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association named Cannella the USILA National Coach of the Year. He also guided UMass to the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking and finished his distinguished career with a 256-181 overall record (.586).
Cannella earned CAA Coach of the Year honors in 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019, was recognized as New England Coach of the Year five times and collected four ECAC Coach of the Year awards. Before his retirement, he held the distinction as the longest-tenured head coach across all NCAA Division I men's and women's lacrosse.
Cannella's teams produced three Tewaaraton Award finalists, 52 USILA All-America selections, 123 All-New England picks, 118 all-conference honorees and 11 positional league Players of the Year award winners. Under Cannella, the program also totaled 15 Academic All-Americans, 78 New England Scholar-Athletes and 40 academic all-conference selections.
Cannella took the reins of the UMass lacrosse program in November 1994 with a deep appreciation for its storied tradition. A two-time letterwinner under legendary head coach Richard F. Garber — known as the "Father of New England Lacrosse" — in 1986 and 1987, Cannella also served two seasons as an assistant coach for Garber before being promoted to lead the program.
Together with Garber (1955–90), Massachusetts became the only program to feature one head coach in the 300-win club (Garber) and another in the 200-win club (Cannella), with both posting all of those victories at the same institution.
Cannella earned a bachelor's degree in physical education while playing at UMass from 1986–87. A two-year starter and member of two NCAA Tournament teams, he finished his career with 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists).
Before arriving in Amherst, Cannella starred at Nassau (N.Y.) Community College, where he earned first team All-America honors and helped lead Nassau to the 1985 Junior College National Championship.
A native of Lynbrook, N.Y., Cannella was one of the most prolific scorers in Lynbrook High School history. He was a high school All-America selection and remains among the program's all-time leading scorers.
Cannella's leadership extended beyond the field. He served as president of the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association from 1998–2000. He also launched and chaired the NEILA Scholar-Athlete Team, established in 1999. In addition, Cannella served on the NCAA Championships Regional Advisory Committee from 1997–2004, was a USILA regional poll voter from 1997–2001 and was a regional voter for USILA All-America selections. He was a longtime member of the prestigious Tewaaraton Award selection committee, serving from the award's inception through 2017.
Cannella and his wife, Laurie, reside in Hadley. They have two children, a son, Vance, and daughter, Virginia.
Click Here for Cannella's detailed bio
-- UMassAthletics.com --
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