AMHERST — Another coaching legend has called it a career at UMass, as on Friday afternoon, longtime men’s lacrosse coach Greg Cannella announced his retirement after over three decades.
Cannella totaled 256 wins in his 31 seasons as coach of the Minutemen, and he led them to nine NCAA Tournament berths including a spot in the 2006 national championship game. UMass won eight conference crowns under Cannella.
“For three-plus decades our men’s lacrosse program has been directed by one of the most respected coaches in the sport,” Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said in a statement released by UMass. “To say we have been fortunate is an understatement. The second winningest coach in program history, coach Cannella’s legacy is also widely recognized for the amazing personal growth of the young men who played for him.”
The school also announced that associate head coach Kyle Smith had been promoted to replace Cannella as the program’s next head coach.
Following UMass’ run to the 2006 title game, the first such appearance by a Division 1 lacrosse team from New England, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association named Cannella the USILA National Coach of the Year. His illustrious career also included guiding the Minutemen to their first-ever No. 1 national ranking, and he finished with a 256-181 overall record (.586).
“Greg’s leadership extended well beyond sport — he used his coaching role to do the most important work of an influential mentor: teaching and human development,” Bamford said. “In this way, he has earned the respect of so many associated with UMass lacrosse, just like his mentor, legendary head coach Dick Garber. On behalf of our extremely grateful department, I want to extend our appreciation to Greg for his remarkable career as a Minuteman student-athlete and coach. We wish him a long, healthy and prosperous retirement from the coaching profession.”
Cannella earned CAA Coach of the Year honors four times (2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019), and was recognized as New England Coach of the Year five times while collecting four ECAC Coach of the Year awards. Prior to his retirement, he was the longest-tenured head coach across all NCAA Division 1 men’s and women’s lacrosse.
“It’s been an incredible honor to represent the University of Massachusetts, Coach Garber, his family, all of our Alumni, players, coaches, families and friends of the program,” Cannella said. “I took tremendous pride, as an alum, coming to work each day, sitting in Coach Garber’s seat, and doing my best to carry on his legacy and the tradition of excellence he set here at the University. I consider myself very lucky to have had this opportunity to be part of the lives of so many great people, here at UMass. Those relationships are ones I will cherish always.
“Thank you to my family, Laurie, Vance and Virginia for enduring the ups and downs of this profession, with unwavering love and support,” Cannella continued. “Thank you to the Athletic Directors, Bob Marcum, Glenn Wong, Ian McCaw, Bob Goodhue, John McCutcheon, and of course Ryan Bamford for their tremendous support of our program. Thanks again to all our players over the years, our alumni group, families and friends — I did this for you all! UMass is a special place, and I will forever be in debt for what the University has provided for me. I look forward to being part of the future of our men’s lacrosse program and all our other teams as well.”
Cannella’s teams produced three Tewaaraton Award finalists, 52 USILA All-America selections, 123 All-New England picks, 118 all-conference honorees and 11 positional league Players of the Year award winners. He took over at UMass in 1994 after being a two-time letterwinner under legendary head coach Richard Garber in 1986-87. Cannella also served for two years on Garber’s staff before earning the head coaching gig.
Together with Garber, who coached from 1955-90, UMass became the only program to feature one head coach in the 300-win club (Garber) and another in the 200-win club (Cannella) — with both posting all of those victories at the same school.
Cannella earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education while playing at UMass from 1986–87. A two-year starter and member of two NCAA Tournament teams, he finished his career with 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists).
Smith, a UMass alum (2014), spent the past four seasons back at his alma mater on Cannella’s staff as an assistant and then associate head coach.
“I am very pleased to promote associate head coach and alum Kyle Smith to lead our proud lacrosse program,” Bamford said. “Like so many Gorilla alums who have worn the Maroon and White — including his own father, Hall of Fame inductee Norm Smith — Kyle is immensely passionate about the university and this special program. Without a doubt, he will also represent UMass with class like the head coaches before him. Kyle has been building himself to meet this moment since the day he grabbed his first coaching whistle, and it is a privilege to support him as he starts his head coaching journey at the flagship.”
Smith becomes just the fifth head coach in program history dating back to 1954, as he follows Al Goodyear (1954), Richard Garber (1955-1990), Ted Garber (1991-94) and Cannella (1995-2025).
Smith returned to Amherst following a seven-year stint with Merrimack men’s lacrosse, where he helped the Warriors to two Division 2 National Championships. He served as an assistant coach for the Warriors from 2014-2019 before being promoted to associate head coach in August 2019.
A former standout attack in his four seasons with the Minutemen (2010-13), Smith earned an All-CAA Second Team recognition in 2013 and a CAA All-Tournament team nod in 2012 after helping UMass to the Colonial Athletic Association title and a NCAA Tournament berth. Over his four seasons, he compiled 125 points on 79 goals and 46 assists to go along with 69 ground balls and 24 caused turnovers.
“I’d like to thank Ryan and coach Cannella for their trust, support and mentorship,” Smith said. “It is the honor of a lifetime to carry forward the Garber family and Cannella legacies. Thank you as well to all the Laxbackers and alums that have helped continue our strong UMass lacrosse tradition; your support is second to none. The University of Massachusetts is a special place, and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.”