University of Massachusets Athletics
Chris Gabrielli Returns To Massachusetts Men’s Lacrosse As An Assistant Coach
July 14, 2025 | Men's Lacrosse
AMHERST, Mass. – Former University of Massachusetts defender Chris Gabrielli has returned to his alma mater, rejoining the UMass men's lacrosse staff as an assistant coach, head coach Greg Cannella announced on Monday. Gabrielli, who played for the Gorillas from 1998-2001, also previously served as an assistant coach on Cannella's staff from 2002-2005. In his 23 years of coaching, he has helped teams to nine NCAA tournament appearances, eight NCAA quarterfinal appearances, six final four appearances and two championship game appearances.
"It's great to have Chris come back home and coaching at his alma mater," said Cannella. "Chris is a former great player and was one of the best leaders I've ever had at UMass. The twenty-three years of knowledge and experience, along with the passion Chris brings each and every day will benefit everyone here at UMass lacrosse, our players, our coaches and our alums. We are pumped to have Chris back here representing our program."
Gabrielli spent the past three seasons at Bryant University, most recently as the Bulldogs' associate head coach. While at Bryant, he was the program's defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator and helped the Bulldogs to the 2025 America East regular season title and an America East Conference tournament championship in 2023.
From 2013-2022, Gabrielli served as the men's lacrosse head coach at Providence College. and led the Friars to Big East Tournament appearances on three occasions. He was named New England Coach of the Year in 2013 and the Big East Coach of the Year in 2017. Gabrielli coached 20 All-Big East selections, two Big East Goalies of the Year, two All-Americans and had four players drafted in either the MLL or NLL during his time in Providence.
Prior to taking over the helm at Providence, Gabrielli spent six years as an assistant at Duke (2007-12). During that six-year period, Gabrielli helped the Blue Devils reach the NCAA Final Four six times, the National Championship game twice and helped Duke to a National Championship in 2010. Duke also won five ACC Regular-Season titles and four ACC Tournament titles in his six years. The Blue Devils' defense ranked in the top-25 nationally all six years under Gabrielli, while seven players earned a total of 11 All-America honors with Gabrielli's tutelage.
In 2006, Gabrielli was the defensive coordinator at Butler after beginning his coaching career as an assistant under Cannella for three seasons. Gabrielli's primary duties included working with the Gorilla's defense, man-down and face-off units, as well as recruiting. He helped UMass to an ECAC championship in 2005.
Before joining the UMass coaching staff in 2002, Gabrielli spent the previous year as the Director of Ticket Sales for the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse. Gabrielli served as a member of the practice player squad for the Boston Cannons during the 2004 season, before being drafted again by the Cannons in the 2005 Supplemental Draft in the 14th round.
In four years at Massachusetts, Gabrielli dished out five assists and scooped up 127 ground balls as a top defender. During his senior year in 2001, he was named a second team All-ECAC Conference selection as well as first team All-New England. UMass shared the league title and captured the New England championship during his senior season. Gabrielli won the Eric Sopracasa "Heart and Soul" Award in 2000 and 2001, which is given to the UMass player with the most leadership and dedication to the team. He also was a team captain during his senior year and played in the 2001 North-South game. Gabrielli was invited to the Major League Lacrosse Top 40 Seniors camp following his final season and also earned second team All-New England honors in 1999.
A native of Bethpage, New York, Gabrielli graduated in 2001 from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in sport management.
"It's great to have Chris come back home and coaching at his alma mater," said Cannella. "Chris is a former great player and was one of the best leaders I've ever had at UMass. The twenty-three years of knowledge and experience, along with the passion Chris brings each and every day will benefit everyone here at UMass lacrosse, our players, our coaches and our alums. We are pumped to have Chris back here representing our program."
Gabrielli spent the past three seasons at Bryant University, most recently as the Bulldogs' associate head coach. While at Bryant, he was the program's defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator and helped the Bulldogs to the 2025 America East regular season title and an America East Conference tournament championship in 2023.
From 2013-2022, Gabrielli served as the men's lacrosse head coach at Providence College. and led the Friars to Big East Tournament appearances on three occasions. He was named New England Coach of the Year in 2013 and the Big East Coach of the Year in 2017. Gabrielli coached 20 All-Big East selections, two Big East Goalies of the Year, two All-Americans and had four players drafted in either the MLL or NLL during his time in Providence.
Prior to taking over the helm at Providence, Gabrielli spent six years as an assistant at Duke (2007-12). During that six-year period, Gabrielli helped the Blue Devils reach the NCAA Final Four six times, the National Championship game twice and helped Duke to a National Championship in 2010. Duke also won five ACC Regular-Season titles and four ACC Tournament titles in his six years. The Blue Devils' defense ranked in the top-25 nationally all six years under Gabrielli, while seven players earned a total of 11 All-America honors with Gabrielli's tutelage.
In 2006, Gabrielli was the defensive coordinator at Butler after beginning his coaching career as an assistant under Cannella for three seasons. Gabrielli's primary duties included working with the Gorilla's defense, man-down and face-off units, as well as recruiting. He helped UMass to an ECAC championship in 2005.
Before joining the UMass coaching staff in 2002, Gabrielli spent the previous year as the Director of Ticket Sales for the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse. Gabrielli served as a member of the practice player squad for the Boston Cannons during the 2004 season, before being drafted again by the Cannons in the 2005 Supplemental Draft in the 14th round.
In four years at Massachusetts, Gabrielli dished out five assists and scooped up 127 ground balls as a top defender. During his senior year in 2001, he was named a second team All-ECAC Conference selection as well as first team All-New England. UMass shared the league title and captured the New England championship during his senior season. Gabrielli won the Eric Sopracasa "Heart and Soul" Award in 2000 and 2001, which is given to the UMass player with the most leadership and dedication to the team. He also was a team captain during his senior year and played in the 2001 North-South game. Gabrielli was invited to the Major League Lacrosse Top 40 Seniors camp following his final season and also earned second team All-New England honors in 1999.
A native of Bethpage, New York, Gabrielli graduated in 2001 from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in sport management.
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