TurnkeyZRG Seeking Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach for Fairfield University

June 1, 2026 – TurnkeyZRG has been retained by Fairfield University to lead in a nationwide search for a new men’s lacrosse head coach. Katy Young Staudt, vice president, college & coaching practice, is leading the assignment.

The head coach will be responsible for directing all phases of a championship-caliber Division I Men’s Lacrosse program within the NCAA and Coastal Athletic Association, with an expectation to compete and succeed at the national level. The head coach must operate within the framework of NCAA and conference rules and governance, consistent with the goals and objectives of the University and the Department of Athletics.

This leader will overseeing and participating in the effective recruitment of student-athletes in collaboration with the office of admissions and office of financial aid. Responsibilities include preparing the team for competition during a traditional and non-traditional season and overseeing the counseling, training, and conditioning of student-athletes. The role also focuses on fostering a supportive team culture that maximizes success on and off the playing field while helping to maintain the academic progress of all student-athletes through interaction with Student-Athlete Success staff and the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR).

In addition, the position works collaboratively with the sports medicine and sports performance staff as extensions of the men’s lacrosse coaching staff to ensure proper and safe student-athlete development. The individual also serves as a University representative for alumni and University functions as coordinated by the athletics advancement staff.

For this role, a master’s degree is preferred. Candidates must have a track record of successful coaching experience at the collegiate or professional levels with demonstrated management, organizational and leadership skills is required. Demonstrated coaching license/certification is preferred.

The Fairfield University men’s lacrosse program is an NCAA Division I team that competes in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and represents the Fairfield Stags in one of the nation’s most competitive collegiate lacrosse landscapes. The program has earned multiple conference championships, made NCAA tournament appearances. This will be the program’s fifth head coach.

Past Soccer Head Coach Search

In 2024, TurnkeyZRG helped to recruit Krystian Witkowski as Fairfield University’s head men’s soccer coach. “We have terrific momentum within Athletics at this time and our Men’s Soccer program is poised for success,” said University president Mark R. Nemec. “Krystian’s experience in Major League Soccer, his significant coaching contributions at Northwestern and Army West Point, and his deep commitment to the holistic formation of student-athletes, made him the perfect candidate for us.”

Related: TurnkeyZRG Assists UNC Recruit New Men’s Head Basketball Coach

The Fairfield Stags men’s soccer program first began in 1964. Fairfield University Athletic Hall of Famer James Kuhlmann was the founding coach who dedicated himself to the university and the development of the program over the next 24 years. Over the past decade the Stags have been ranked among the nation’s elite programs having produced seven NSCAA regional all-Americans and achieved seven winning seasons, including double-digit win totals in five of the last 10 campaigns.

Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management-level positions throughout sports, media and entertainment. Over the past 25 years, the firm has filled more than 1,400 positions. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit, and hire the best management talent.

Len Perna is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Turnkey. He has 30-plus years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior-level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding Turnkey, Mr. Perna has managed over 1,400 executive searches.

For over 20 years, Ms. Young Staudt has supported 200+ searches for Division I head coaches, athletic directors, and administrators at institutions such as Yale, Texas Tech, Cal, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Auburn, San Jose State, Fairfield, Oklahoma State, Ball State, Pacific, Michigan State, Arizona State, and many, many more. Ms. Young Staudt has also been a talent recruiter for Ventura Partners, WittKieffer, and the sports search firm Eastman & Beaudine. Notably, she also ran talent acquisition & recruiting for Learfield. Ms. Young Staudt has also held the roles of assistant athletics director, marketing for the University of California–Riverside, and vice president of business development for a foundation management company specializing in 501c3 charity events for coaches.

Related: TurnkeyZRG Recruits Executive Director for the Head of the Charles Regatta

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media