BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College Athletic Department has announced that Jason Archbell has been named head coach of the men's lacrosse program.
Most recently an assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania, Archbell becomes the seventh coach in the history of the Polar Bear men's lacrosse team and just the third since 1970. He assumes the helm from 22-year head coach Tom McCabe, who retired following the 2012 campaign.
"I am truly honored to be the new men's lacrosse coach at Bowdoin College," said Archbell. "I want to thank the search committee for giving me this tremendous opportunity. The men's lacrosse team has had the good fortune of having two coaches in the last 43 years of the program, both of whom were fantastically successful. It is my hope to add to this legacy. Bowdoin is a special place and my wife and I could not be more excited to become part of this community."
"Jason is the perfect coach to take over the reins of the Bowdoin Men's Lacrosse program," said Bowdoin Athletic Director Jeff Ward. "The depth of knowledge and preparation that he demonstrated during the process was outstanding. At the same time, he showed a genuineness and concern for students that is essential for all Bowdoin coaches. There was a very strong pool of candidates, but in the end, everyone involved agreed that Jason was the man for job."
Archbell spent the last two seasons as an assistant at Penn, where he served as a defensive assistant and recruiting coordinator. The Quakers enjoyed one of their finest seasons in 2011, posting an 8-7 mark and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006. In 2012 Penn played one of the most difficult schedules in Division I and, despite a losing record, earned wins versus ranked North Carolina and Harvard.
He comes to Bowdoin with extensive Division III experience. A 2002 graduate of Hamden-Sydney, his coaching resume includes stops at Washington & Lee, Denison, Kenyon and Virginia Wesleyan.
Archbell arrived at Penn from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., where he spent two years as the Generals' assistant coach and defensive coordinator. During his time at W&L, the Generals went 27-10 overall and won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) championship in 2009.
As the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Denison University in 2008, Archbell helped the Big Red to a 14-3 record behind a defense that allowed a nation-low 5.34 goals per game. As coach of the goalies, he oversaw goalkeeper Alex Baruch who was the national Division III Goalie of the Year. Archbell also spent two years as the defensive coordinator at Kenyon College, helping the Lords to a 23-6 record during that time and a spot in the 2006 NCAA Division III Championship. Archbell got his coaching start at Virginia Wesleyan College, where he spent three seasons as a defensive coordinator.
Archbell played his college lacrosse at Hampden-Sydney College, captaining the squad his senior year. The Tigers made three NCAA Championship appearances and won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) once during his career. Archbell was a two-time All-ODAC defenseman and earned honorable mention All-America as a senior.
Bowdoin is coming off one of the finest seasons in program history in 2012. In coach McCabe's final year at Bowdoin, the Polar Bears posted the second-most wins in a season in program history (14), advanced to the NESCAC title game and reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. McCabe accumulated 229 wins in his 22 seasons following legendary coach Mort LaPointe, who totaled 218 wins from 1970-90. Bowdoin is the only school in collegiate lacrosse to boast two 200-win coaches.
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