After an extensive national search in partnership with DovetailEd’s president, Zack Lehman, that produced a talented pool of candidates, Proctor Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Brendan Callahan as its next boys varsity lacrosse coach and Associate Director of Admission. A native of Hanover, Maryland and standout goalie for NCAA Division 1 Stony Brook University, graduating in 2007 after serving as captain and earning 2nd Team All-America East and STX//USILA All-American while leading the nation in save percentage and goals against average, Brendan immediately joined the coaching ranks at Lehigh University after his time at Stony Brook.
As an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Lehigh, where he earned a masters degree in education, Brendan helped guide Lehigh to three consecutive league championship game appearances (2012-14), back-to-back Patriot League Championships, berths in the NCAA Tournament in 2012 and 2013. Brendan helped guide defensive units that ranked 2nd, 6th, and 2nd nationally in the 2012-2014 seasons, respectively.
Photo Courtesy: Dartmouth College Sports Information
Following a seven year stint at Lehigh, Brendan was named head coach for Dartmouth Men’s Lacrosse, the youngest head coach in NCAA Division 1, at the age of 29. For the past nine years, he led the Big Green on the sidelines and served as the Chair Events Committee for the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association. During his nine years at Dartmouth, Brendan elevated the program's RPI from the mid-60s in 2015 to receiving votes in the national top 20 polls. Each year since 2019, the program increased its win totals, all while helping guide the team’s GPA from 3.0 in 2014 to 3.69 in 2022, one of the highest team GPAs in NCAA Division 1. In addition to coaching at Dartmouth, Brendan founded Iron Pine Lacrosse, a successful camp business, hosting 400 campers annually, and showcasing more than 275 athletes to 30+ college coaches from elite academic institutions around the country.
Brendan is thrilled to join the Proctor community with his wife, Jen, and their two sons Jack and Mac, aged 8 and 11, as boys lacrosse coach and Admissions associate. He inherits a lacrosse program that finished the 2023 campaign with a 6-10 record in a highly competitive Lakes Region League. With a core of young talent and veteran leadership returning for the upcoming year, the Hornets are poised to make some noise in the league moving forward. Brendan notes, “It became clear very early on in the process that the mission and vision for educating young people at Proctor were very much in line with my values as a coach and the values Jen and I hold true in our family. I was incredibly impressed with the team in the Admissions Office and I can’t wait to get to work on my new role to help find great students and families to bring to the Proctor community.” Brendan adds, “The lacrosse program has great potential, and I am excited to work with the boys on the team, their families, and everyone at Proctor to help elevate the program within our league and on the national stage. We will work together to build a championship culture on and off the field by being the toughest team that plays the hardest in the Lakes Region. Most importantly, through education and competition, we want to build character and leaders for life. Go Hornets!”
Athletic Director Gregor Makechnie ‘90 adds, “We are thrilled to welcome Brendan, Jen and their sons to Proctor. Brendan’s coaching credentials are significant. He is an experienced, effective lacrosse coach. Importantly, he is a person of character and strong moral fiber with demonstrated ability to build culture. His personal values align with all that Proctor values and he will mentor the young men on the lacrosse team on the field as well as off.”
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