University of Massachusets Athletics
Men's Lacrosse
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Location:
- 284 Boyden
- Alma Mater:
- Massachusetts, 2009
- E-Mail:
- jschneid@umass.edu
Alma Mater: Massachusetts '09 || Tenure: 13th Season (coaching staff only)
2018 IMLCA Assistant Coach of the Year
Doc Schneider enters his 13th season on the University of Massachusetts coaching staff and his fifth on the sidelines as an associate head coach in 2021-22.
A dedicated member of the UMass men's lacrosse family, Schneider begins his seventh campaign as the team's offensive instructor in 2021-22 following six years as an assistant coach on the defensive side between 2010-14, and four more as a starting goalkeeper for the Minutemen prior to that.
In addition to his work on the offensive side of the ball, Schneider continues to tutor the UMass goalies alongside fellow associate head coach Craig McDonald.
"Doc continues to bring a great wealth of knowledge and energy to all of us every day," Cannella said. "Having been around Doc here at the University of Massachusetts since he joined the team as a freshman in 2006, we have someone who is extremely loyal to the ideals and mission we set back in 1995. I couldn't be happier for our present and future players to be around an outstanding coach and mentor."
Balance keyed the attack in 2021 as seven players recorded double-digit points total and five eclipsed 20 points on the season despite UMass playing an abbreviated 10-game campaign. It was tied for the most players with 20+ points and tied for second-most in double-figures even though fewer games than the other five teams in the league. The offense also recorded a programmatic first during the year as Jeff Trainor (147 points; 2017-21) and Kevin Tobin (112 points; 2018-present) became the only pair of UMass midfielders at or above 100 career points to play together.
UMass was midway through a promising season in 2020 prior to the COVID-19 related cancellation of sports at a nationwide level. The squad held a 5-2 overall record, ranked among the top-20 in the nation and held a four-game win streak at the time of cancellation. The season included a milestone win for the program as Massachusetts downed No. 1 Yale, 13-10, on Feb. 29. It marked the program's first-ever win in program history over the top-ranked team in the nation.
Massachusetts harnessed the introduction of the 80-second shot clock in 2019 and enhanced its already-established up-tempo style of play as a result. The Minutemen finished the year 13th in the country for points per game (20.8) and averaged 12.7 goals per game. The man-up offense proved especially dangerous throughout the season and tallied ninth on the strength of conversions during 43.8 percent of their opportunities.
Schneider's high-octane offensive style of play was on display throughout the 2018 campaign, when Massachusetts ranked among the nation's leaders in points, goals and assists per game, scoring margin and shot percentage. Spearheaded by All-CAA standouts Buddy Carr and Jeff Trainor, and CAA Rookie of the Year Chris Connolly, Massachusetts ranked either first or second across the league in every offensive metric.
After four years between the pipes from 2006-09, Schneider joined the coaching staff as an assistant ahead of the 2010 season. He maintained his role working on the defensive side of the game through the 2014 season, after which he chose to pursue an opportunity outside of the coaching realm. However, Schneider rejoined the staff as a volunteer coach prior to the 2015 season.
Schneider's tutelage of the offense in 2017 helped the squad earn its way to the CAA Championship Game. Led by All-CAA First Team midfielder Dan Muller, UMass posted 134 goals on the season and totaled wins in seven of its final 11 contests. The attack saved its best effort for the CAA Tournament as the Minutemen put in a season-best goals total against No. 14 Hofstra during the CAA Semifinal Round for the 13-12 victory over the Pride
"I would like to thank Coach (Greg) Cannella for the opportunity to come back to UMass," Schneider said. "This program has molded me into the person I am today and I could not be more grateful and excited to be back at a place I care so much about. I have no doubt that I have grown tremendously as a person from my experiences this past year and I believe this will lead me to become a better coach."
Schneider worked with the offense while he served as a full-time volunteer in 2015 and simultaneously assisted in all aspects of on- and off-field preparations. Prior to the most recent season, Schneider was responsible for various components of the direction of the defense and goalie units during the 2010-14 campaigns.
Through Schneider's tutelage during his tenure as the defensive coordinator, three-year starter Tim McCormack developed into a USILA All-American and First Team All-New England selection at goalie in 2012. Schneider simultaneously coached the Minutemen defense, including the man-down unit, which featured all-America selections Jake Smith (2012-13), Tom Celentani (2012) and Diogo Godoi (2010).
As a student-athlete at Massachusetts, Schneider was a four-year starter from 2006-09, racking up the second-most saves in program history (753). Schneider owned a 7.98 goals-against average and .611 save percentage for his career while earning 34 victories in net. A 2009 USILA All-American and Tewaaraton Award finalist, the Massapequa, New York, native, also received all-New England honors on four occasions, competed in the USILA North-South All Star Game and was named the ECAC Goalie of the Year as a senior.
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Schneider was the highest drafted goalie in Major League Lacrosse during 2009, when he eventually helped the Toronto Nationals win the MLL Championship alongside former Minuteman Jeff Zywicki. In the championship game, Schneider backstopped the Nationals with 12 saves after he picked up the semifinal victory over Long Island.
Schneider and his wife, Morgan, have a son, Duke, and a daughter, Noa.
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| Doc Schneider's Year-By-Year Coaching Results | ||||
| Year | Position | W-L | Pct. | Season Notes |
| 2010 | Assistant Coach (Defense/Goalies) | 8-6 | .571 | CAA Championship Semifinalists |
| 2011 | Assistant Coach (Defense/Goalies) | 10-5 | .667 | CAA Championship Finalists |
| 2012 | Assistant Coach (Defense/Goalies) | 15-1 | .940 | NCAA Tournament; CAA Champions (Regular Season, Tournament) |
| 2013 | Assistant Coach (Defense/Goalies) | 7-8 | .467 | CAA Championship Semifinalists |
| 2014 | Assistant Coach (Defense/Goalies) | 7-6 | .538 | - |
| 2015 | Volunteer Assistant Coach (Offense/Goalies) | 5-10 | .333 | CAA Championship Finalists |
| 2016 | Assistant Coach (Offense/Goalies) | 4-9 | .444 | - |
| 2017 | Assistant Coach (Offense/Goalies) | 7-8 | .467 | CAA Championship Finalists |
| 2018 | Associate Head Coach (Offense/Goalies) | 12-5 | .706 | NCAA Tournament; CAA Champions (Regular Season, Tournament) |
| 2019 | Associate Head Coach (Offense/Goalies) | 10-5 | .667 | CAA Champions (Regular Season); CAA Championship Semifinalists |
| 2020 | Associate Head Coach (Offense/Goalies) | 5-2 | .714 | Season shortened at national level due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | Associate Head Coach (Offense/Goalies) | 4-6 | .400 | CAA Championship Semifinalists |
| Totals | 12 Seasons | - | - | 2 NCAA Tournament Berths 2 NEILA New England Championships 2 CAA Championships |
Updated May 10, 2021
