Looking to build upon a nine-win season a year ago–its best in the last decade–the University of Vermont men’s lacrosse team had an important decision looming after former head coach Ryan Curtis stepped down.
In response, the school simply turned its eyes to the most recent national champions.
UNC defensive coordinator Chris Feifs–an assistant for seven years under Joe Breschi–accepted the Catamounts’ offer on Wednesday to become the seventh head coach in the program’s history.
Vermont’s Director of Athletics, Jeff Schulman, made the announcement.
“During the search process, Chris impressed us with his passion for teaching and strong commitment to the academic, personal and athletic wellbeing of his student-athletes,” Schulman said.
“His experience recruiting and coaching a national championship team at North Carolina certainly speaks to his ability to identify, attract and develop elite student-athletes who are capable of succeeding at the highest levels on and off the lacrosse field.”
The Tar Heels qualified for the NCAA Tournament each year Feifs–who was also in charge of teaching faceoff specialists–was on the staff.
Under Feifs’ tutelage, former faceoff man R.G. Keenan became the first UNC midfielder to be named a First Team All-American since 1996.
A native of Durham, the coach left the state of North Carolina to play his college lacrosse at Maryland from 2004-2007 before spending a year with the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse.
He then spent two years as an assistant at Virginia Military Insitute before joining Breschi’s staff in Chapel Hill.
At Vermont, Feifs will inherit a team that returns four of its top five scorers from last season–as they appear primed to make a splash in the America East Conference in 2017.
“I am honored for the opportunity to join the University of Vermont as the head men’s lacrosse coach,” Feifs said. “UVM is truly a special place with its unique combination of academic excellence, athletic achievement and picturesque surroundings.
“I look forward to joining Burlington’s supportive and vibrant community to build a winning tradition on and off the field.”
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