PITTSBURGH -- Duquesne Vice President of Athletics Dave Harper announced today that Tracy Coyne has been named the next head coach of DU's lacrosse program. Coyne, a Pittsburgh native, arrives on the Bluff as the 17th winningest coach in NCAA history and ranks 12th among active coaches with a 322-230 record over 35 seasons.

"What made Tracy stand out during the interview process was not only her attention to detail but leading a program that owns a defined and disciplined culture," said Harper. "We look forward to watching Tracy lead the Duquesne women's lacrosse program and providing a great experience both on and off the field for our student-athletes."

Coyne, who becomes the fifth coach in Duquesne history, spent the past five seasons leading the Saint Francis University program in Loretto, Pa. where she recorded the most overall wins (30) and Northeast Conference (NEC) wins (18) in program history. The Red Flash were guided to two NEC Tournament appearances (first two in program history) and finished with a .500 or better record for the first time in 2023 and 2024 under Coyne, including a program-best 10 overall wins and seven NEC victories in 2023. Coyne coached the first two major award winners in program history (NEC Midfielder of the Year and NEC Rookie of the Year), 13 All-NEC and three NEC All-Rookie selections at SFU.

"I am so very honored that Duquesne University has chosen me as the next head lacrosse coach," said Coyne. "I would like to thank Vice President of Athletics Dave Harper, Senior Associate Athletic Director/CFO Joe Setting and the entire search committee for this exciting opportunity to join the Dukes and allowing me to fulfill my goal of doing what I love - coach lacrosse - in my hometown of Pittsburgh. My focus will be to reflect the values of the Spiritan mission by creating an outstanding student-athlete experience, reestablishing a winning culture and returning the lacrosse program to prominence in the Atlantic 10 Conference."

Coyne's legendary career began in 1988 at Division III programs Denison University (2 seasons) and Roanoke College (7 seasons) before being tabbed as the inaugural head coach at the University of Notre Dame in August of 1996. Coyne won the NCAC title both years at Denison and led Roanoke to five conference championships in seven seasons. She was also named the National Coach of the Year in 1992 after leading the Maroons to the national semifinals and is a member of the Roanoke College Athletic Hall of Fame.

As the first coach in program history at Notre Dame, Coyne quickly turned it into a national power over her 15-year tenure. The Irish made six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a national semifinal run in 2006, and won the Big East Championship in 2009. Coyne, who is an honorary member of the Notre Dame Monogram Club, was honored as the Big East Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008, as well as IWLCA's Division I National Coach of the Year in 2006.

Coyne bookended a return to Division III as head coach at Washington & Jefferson in 2013 with assistant coaching positions at Duquesne (2012) and Dartmouth (2014). The Dukes were 12-6 during Coyne's one season on the staff. Prior to Saint Francis, Coyne spent five seasons (2015-19) leading the George Washington program in the Atlantic 10.

A 2012 recipient of the IWLCA Diane Geppi-Aikens Award for lifetime achievement in the sport of lacrosse, Coyne has coached 48 All-Americans, three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and two Tewaaraton finalists - an award given to the top player in college lacrosse. Coyne also served as the head coach of the Canadian National Team from 1999-2005, earning fourth-place finishes at the 2001 and 2005 World Cups.

Coyne's programs have been been consistently honored on the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll and her 2020-21 Saint Francis team earned the IWLCA Division I Community Service Award.

A Bishop Canevin High School graduate, Coyne earned her bachelor's degree in organizational communications from Ohio University and master's degree in sports administration from St. Thomas University (Fla.).

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