University of Massachusets Athletics
Craig McDonald Named Robert Morris Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach
September 20, 2021 | Men's Lacrosse
McDonald recently completed his seventh season in Amherst, including the last four as associate head coach.
AMHERST, Mass. – Former Massachusetts men's lacrosse associate head coach Craig McDonald has been named as the head coach at Robert Morris, the school announced Monday. McDonald recently completed his seventh season in Amherst, including the last four as associate head coach.
"We all here at UMass lacrosse are happy for Mac," said Massachusetts head coach Greg Cannella. "Robert Morris is getting a great coach and a better person. Craig will lead the Team with integrity, loyalty and a tremendous amount of energy. We appreciate all of what Craig has done for us here. We wish him the best!"
McDonald arrives at Robert Morris after spending the last seven years at UMass, where he started as an assistant coach before being promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2018. While with the Minutemen, McDonald served as both defensive coordinator, working with the goaltenders while assisting with the faceoff unit, and recruiting coordinator.
During his time at UMass, the Minutemen appeared in three Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship games, winning the 2018 CAA tournament crown and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. In 2019, UMass advanced to the CAA Tournament semifinals behind a defense tutored by McDonald that ranked third in the country in scoring defense. Over the last four seasons with McDonald on the coaching staff, the Minutemen compiled an overall record of 31-18 (.633).
During a 2020 campaign that was shortened due to COVID-19, UMass ranked in the top 20 nationally and finished with a 5-2 (.714) mark behind a defense led by McDonald that allowed just 9.60 goals per game in its five victories. The Minutemen posted a landmark win during the year, a 13-10 triumph over No. 1 Yale (2/29), the program's first victory over a top-ranked team in the country. Earlier that season UMass also went on the road and knocked off No. 12 Ohio State (2/15), 9-7.
In 2019, McDonald guided a UMass defense that allowed just 8.87 goals per game, which ranked third in NCAA Division I. That defense was anchored by defenseman Isaac Paparo and goalie Sean Sconone, both which were named Inside Lacrosse First Team All-Americans as the Minutemen compiled an overall record of 10-5 (.667) and claimed the 2019 CAA regular-season championship. Sconone was tabbed the 2019 CAA Defensive Player of the Year, while Paparo garnered United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-America accolades.
In 2018, UMass earned a 12-8 victory over Towson (5/5) to claim the CAA Tournament crown and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. McDonald helped the Minutemen record an overall record of 12-5 (.706) in 2018, with Papano being selected the CAA Player of the Year, while attack Chris Connolly garnered CAA Rookie of the Year honors. Overall during his tenure at UMass, McDonald helped tutor a Tewaaraton Award nominee, two Academic All-Americans, eight All-Americans and 35 All-CAA honorees.
Prior to UMass, McDonald was an assistant coach at Rutgers, serving as defensive coordinator, goalie coach and recruiting coordinator from 2011-14. McDonald also was an assistant coach at Siena (2010-11) and began his collegiate coaching career at Union College (2008-10).
A 2008 graduate of the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with a minor in education, McDonald was a four-year letterwinner with the Great Danes on defense. He helped guide Albany to the NCAA Tournament in both 2005 and 2007 and was a three-time All-America East honoree, garnering second team accolades in 2006 and first team plaudits in 2007 and 2008.
"We all here at UMass lacrosse are happy for Mac," said Massachusetts head coach Greg Cannella. "Robert Morris is getting a great coach and a better person. Craig will lead the Team with integrity, loyalty and a tremendous amount of energy. We appreciate all of what Craig has done for us here. We wish him the best!"
McDonald arrives at Robert Morris after spending the last seven years at UMass, where he started as an assistant coach before being promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2018. While with the Minutemen, McDonald served as both defensive coordinator, working with the goaltenders while assisting with the faceoff unit, and recruiting coordinator.
During his time at UMass, the Minutemen appeared in three Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship games, winning the 2018 CAA tournament crown and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. In 2019, UMass advanced to the CAA Tournament semifinals behind a defense tutored by McDonald that ranked third in the country in scoring defense. Over the last four seasons with McDonald on the coaching staff, the Minutemen compiled an overall record of 31-18 (.633).
During a 2020 campaign that was shortened due to COVID-19, UMass ranked in the top 20 nationally and finished with a 5-2 (.714) mark behind a defense led by McDonald that allowed just 9.60 goals per game in its five victories. The Minutemen posted a landmark win during the year, a 13-10 triumph over No. 1 Yale (2/29), the program's first victory over a top-ranked team in the country. Earlier that season UMass also went on the road and knocked off No. 12 Ohio State (2/15), 9-7.
In 2019, McDonald guided a UMass defense that allowed just 8.87 goals per game, which ranked third in NCAA Division I. That defense was anchored by defenseman Isaac Paparo and goalie Sean Sconone, both which were named Inside Lacrosse First Team All-Americans as the Minutemen compiled an overall record of 10-5 (.667) and claimed the 2019 CAA regular-season championship. Sconone was tabbed the 2019 CAA Defensive Player of the Year, while Paparo garnered United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-America accolades.
In 2018, UMass earned a 12-8 victory over Towson (5/5) to claim the CAA Tournament crown and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. McDonald helped the Minutemen record an overall record of 12-5 (.706) in 2018, with Papano being selected the CAA Player of the Year, while attack Chris Connolly garnered CAA Rookie of the Year honors. Overall during his tenure at UMass, McDonald helped tutor a Tewaaraton Award nominee, two Academic All-Americans, eight All-Americans and 35 All-CAA honorees.
Prior to UMass, McDonald was an assistant coach at Rutgers, serving as defensive coordinator, goalie coach and recruiting coordinator from 2011-14. McDonald also was an assistant coach at Siena (2010-11) and began his collegiate coaching career at Union College (2008-10).
A 2008 graduate of the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with a minor in education, McDonald was a four-year letterwinner with the Great Danes on defense. He helped guide Albany to the NCAA Tournament in both 2005 and 2007 and was a three-time All-America East honoree, garnering second team accolades in 2006 and first team plaudits in 2007 and 2008.
Players Mentioned
A
/ Men's LacrosseUMass MLAX | 4.12.25 | Win vs. St. Bonnies | Cinematic Recap
Saturday, April 12
UMass MLAX | Highlights vs St. Bonaventure | 04.12.25
Saturday, April 12
UMass Men's Lacrosse | Broadcast Highlights vs. NJIT | 2.22.25
Sunday, February 23
UMass Men's Lacrosse | Broadcast Highlights vs. Dartmouth | 2.18.25
Tuesday, February 18