via JU press release/website, by Alex Kerstetter

Jacksonville, Fla. – Jacksonville men’s lacrosse head coach John Galloway announced the promotion of Chris Perzinski to associate head coach on Monday.

Perzinski, whose title was previously defensive coordinator, joined the Dolphins’ staff in 2022.

“Promoting Chris to Associate Head Coach is one of the easier decisions I have had to make in this seat,” said head coach John Galloway. “Often, a new title serves as a way of persuasion. For me, this title was given because it was deserved. Chris exemplifies how we want our players to behave, and his leadership has motivated our entire team outside of just the defensive cohort. I am eager to work alongside Chris to continue to build this program into a championship contender year in and year out.”

“We are thrilled to promote Chris to Associate Head Coach,” said Senior Vice President/Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert. “Coach P has been an integral part of our growth and success over the last three years, and no one is more deserving. Chris is loyal, humble, and he’s a winner. He is a mentor to our young men and is someone Coach Galloway leans on tremendously. Our future is even brighter with Chris as a key part of it.”

In his two seasons at the helm of the Dolphins’ defense, Perzinski has helped produce some of the more consistent defenses in the country. In 2023, the team had four statistics in the top 12 nationally, as well as leading the ASUN conference in numerous categories. The Dolphins were second in the country in man-down defense and caused turnovers per game, which was the second consecutive season JU has been ranked second in the NCAA in CTO per game. The team also was ninth in scoring defense and 11th in the country in ground balls per game.

“I am truly humbled by this honor and promotion to advance our work with the men of Jacksonville University lacrosse,” said Perzinski. “The care and support that Jacksonville University provides, starting from the top with President Cost, Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert, and Coach Galloway’s critical eye for detail to give our athletes a great experience… lacrosse will only continue to elevate at the highest level in our sport, and our players will receive THE BEST. I’m elated with gratitude and extremely thankful for Coach Galloway’s trust in me, and equally as important, all the players past, present, and future, allowing me a career doing something I love: working with the fellas to achieve great things.

It’s a great day for me, a great day to be a Dolphin.”

In 2022, the Dolphins had a “year of firsts,” which included the first season with multiple ranked wins in program history, the first national ranking, the first 10-win season, and the first SoCon regular-season championship. On the defensive side, the Dolphins finished in the top 3 nationally in scoring defense, scoring margin, and caused turnovers per game.

Perzinski joined the Jacksonville staff after a successful four-year stint as the head coach at Division III Elizabethtown College.