Lars Tiffany, who architected the revival of Virginia’s men’s lacrosse program and won two national championships, will not return to coach the program.
Tiffany talked after Virginia’s season-ending loss May 10 about next season being “really, really exciting.” He talked about hitting the transfer portal the next day. He talked about the incoming recruiting class.
But Tiffany’s contract was due to expire June 20. And Monday, in a three-sentence release, Virginia announced a “leadership change.”
Tiffany, the release said, “will not return as head coach of the men’s lacrosse program.”
Tiffany amassed a 108-51 record in 10 seasons at Virginia. He won national championships in 2019 and 2021, and reached Championship Weekend in 2023 and 2024.
In 2025, Virginia played its worst season under Tiffany. Tiffany’s Cavaliers languished to a 6-8 record, their only losing season under Tiffany, going winless in the ACC and missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since Tiffany’s first year.
This season’s team seemed headed for a similar fate, starting 3-4.
Then Virginia reeled off seven wins in nine games, including two over No. 1 Notre Dame, and won the ACC Championship for the third time under Tiffany.
The ride ended last week, when the fifth-seeded Cavaliers were upset at home by Georgetown in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The loss scuppered Virginia’s quest to play in a home Championship Weekend at Scott Stadium.
Tiffany arrived at Virginia in 2016 after 10 years at Brown, his alma mater. He took over a flagging program coming off a losing season and wracked with off-field issues. He focused on culture, referring unerringly to his players as “men.” He installed his trademark “Cultural Thursdays” and partnered with the Gordie Center against hazing.
This season, the eminence of the program seemed to weigh heavily on Tiffany. After Virginia’s first win against Notre Dame, he talked about all the people “who trust me to guide this team.” After the Georgetown loss, he apologized to the fans.
“Last year we [had] a losing record, which is blasphemy for the tradition and history and legacy that I stand in front of you representing,” Tiffany said. “That's unacceptable, and we were sort of trending that way again.”
Virginia is projected to be one of the most dangerous teams in the country next season. It is set to return two of its three captains, senior defenseman John Schroter and senior midfielder Joey Terenzi, in addition to senior attackman Ryan Colsey.
The Cavaliers will also hope to return standout attackmen junior McCabe Millon and freshman Brendan Millon. Additionally, Virginia has the fourth-ranked incoming recruiting class in the country, headlined by No. 2 recruit Lucas Garcia.
The release noted that a national search for a new men’s lacrosse head coach will begin immediately.
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