Jason King will begin his first season as head coach of the St. Thomas men’s lacrosse program next season, as the team defends its national title from 2019.

King was a captain of the team in 2009 and 2010 and has been on the men’s lacrosse coaching staff as the offensive coordinator since 2015.

“This team has an enormous support system from the alumni and the past coaches, so it’s been a smooth transition,” King said.

King was hired in August 2019 to fill former coach Brian Gross’s position. Gross stepped down at the end of the 2019 season to spend more time with his family, after four seasons with the Tommies.

Gross captured two national titles in 2016 and 2019, during his four-year stint with the Tommies.

“I just try to be the keeper of the culture,” King said. “It’s a pretty well-oiled machine here, so I try not to get in the way much.”

St. Thomas was ranked No. 1 in the 2020 Nike/US Lacrosse MCLA Division II preseason rankings, before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senior captain and MVP in last year’s national tournament, Jack Stanchfield, was hoping to lead the team this spring.

I was really bummed out initially because we were in the thick of the season,” Stanchfield said. “But I have accepted it because everyone is dealing with a lot of loss.”

Senior captain Patrick Jackson emphasized the value of King’s coaching character.

“I always feel comfortable going to talk to him,” Jackson said. “He’s been through the same stuff, so he knows all the situations that would come up.”

Joey Swanson can be reached at swan5350@stthomas.edu.