via FSC press release   LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Southern College men’s lacrosse head coach Marty Ward is bring backing back a familiar face to the Moccasin sideline for the 2020 season. DJ Lubs was announced as the Mocs’ new assistant coach on Friday after spending the past two seasons as an assistant and eventual head coach at Michigan State. A former standout on the field for Florida Southern, Lubs was the first all-American in the history of the Moccasins’ men’s lacrosse program. “We are excited to have Coach Lubs join our staff for the 2020 season,” Ward said. “DJ brings tremendous enthusiasm and passion for the game to our program and we are privileged to welcome him back to FSC.” Prior to his return to Lakeland, Lubs served as the head coach for the Michigan State club lacrosse team (MCLA) in 2019 where he guided the Spartans to an 8-8 record with wins over Pitt, Minnesota, and UConn. In 2018, he was the defensive coordinator for former Moccasin Cam Holding, who coached the Spartans for three seasons before stepping away to pursue a professional playing career. As the Spartans’ defensive coordinator in 2018, Lubs helped lead Michigan State to its first-ever MLCA National Championship. Before his stint in East Lansing, Lubs was the head coach at Chapman University in California. “I am excited to come back to Florida Southern and help grow the blue-collar mentality of a new era of Mocs’ student-athletes,” Lubs said. “I think Coach Ward and Coach Maccarrio are doing a great job. Last year, was a terrific year, and I am excited to help build on that. I look forward to bring an SSC title back to Lakeland.” After graduating from Florida Southern in 2014, Lubs was invited to training camp with the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). He was also a member of the practice squad for the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse during the 2016 season. In between his professional playing stints, he served as the junior varsity defensive coordinator at Chaparral High School in Parker, Colo., where he was also in charge of the Wolverines’ strength and conditioning programs. He also spent time as a strength and conditioning intern at the University of Denver, working closely with the Pioneers’ Nordic downhill ski, men’s and women’s soccer, gymnastics, men’s ice hockey, and men’s and women’s lacrosse programs. A four-year starter for the Moccasins, he finished his career with 130 groundballs and 47 caused turnovers. Lubs ranks in the top 10 in school history in ground balls, caused turnovers, games started, and games played. He was the first Moccasin to earn all-America recognition as he was an honorable mention in 2013 and again in 2014. He is just one of two Mocs to play in the USILA Division I/II all-star game (Matt Lalli – 2017). Lubs was one of four Mocs to be named to the SSC all-tournament team in 2014 and was a first-team All-SSC selection as a senior. Before the Mocs joined the SSC, Lubs picked up Deep South Conference honors as a member of the all-tournament team (2012), first-team all-DSC (2012 & 2013), and was a Deep South Defensive Player of the Week (3/12/12). As a junior and senior, Lubs was named the team Defensive MVP and was a member of the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll as a senior. The Rockford, Mich. native was a childhood friend of Moccasins volleyball assistant coach Ashlee Crowder. Lubs graduated from Florida Southern in 2014 with a degree in exercise science.