BANNER ELK, N.C. – Lees-McRae College President Lee King and Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management Kevin Phillips have named John Grant, Jr. as the new head men's lacrosse coach at Lees-McRae.
"Lees-McRae is excited about hiring John Grant as our next head men's lacrosse coach. John is a proven winner as both a player and coach at every level of lacrosse," said Phillips. "He is a household name in the lacrosse world for his success and longevity as a professional in both the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse, and we look forward to seeing him bring our men's lacrosse program to another level."
Grant, Jr. has garnered success at the highest levels of lacrosse for over 20 years by being recognized in the National League Lacrosse League Hall of Fame, the Major League Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and the University of Delaware Hall of Fame. He is a five-time MLL Champion, NLL Champion, five-time World Champion, two-time All-America selection, three-time MLL MVP, two-time NLL MVP, USILA National Collegiate Player of the Year, and USILA National Collegiate Attackman of the Year.
"I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead the Lees McRae men's lacrosse program," said Grant, Jr. "I would like to thank President King and Vice President Phillips for their support and for putting their faith in me."
In his coaching career, Grant, Jr. is a two-time world champion with Canada, MLL Champion with the Denver Outlaws (2018), two-time High School Colorado State Champion, Colorado State Coach of the Year, and Southern Conference Co-Champion.
In the Premier Lacrosse League, Grant, Jr. serves as the offensive coordinator for the Redwoods Lacrosse Club. He has developed and implemented a new offensive system and established relationships with current and new players.
Grant Jr, served as the assistant lacrosse coach at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland from 2020-2022 and was the offensive coordinator for the Blue Jays. He also held the position of assistant lacrosse coach at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he executed a new offensive structure and player development.
He was the No. 1 overall pick in the NLL Draft by the Rochester Knighthawks and Grant, Jr. competed in the NLL, MLL, and Ontario Lacrosse Association.
In his professional career, Grant, Jr. played in the NLL for 17 years and in the MLL for 14 seasons. He holds the scoring record in MLL history with 388 and collected 634 points. In the NLL, Grant, Jr. collected 668 goals and 778 assists for 1,446 points in the regular season.
Grant, Jr. graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education Studies and led all NCAA Division I players with 110 points in 1999.
"I look forward to getting to work right away and begin building a legacy of excellence both on and off the field," said Grant, Jr.
Grant, Jr. as a player
1999 Lt. Raymond Enners Award (NCAA's Most Outstanding player)
1999 Jack Turnbull Award (best attackman)
Delaware's first USILA First-Team All-American (1999), averaging more than six points per game
MLL (pro field league) MVP in 2007 and 2008
NLL (pro box league) MVP in 2007 and 2012
Only player to win MLL and NLL MVPs in same season
One of three players to win MLL and NLL MVPs altogether (Gary Gait and Casey Powell)
Fifth all-time in NLL goals, 12th in NLL points, and third in NLL assists per game
2007 NLL Champions Cup champion with Rochester Knighthawks and Champions Cup MVP
Six-time MLL Champion
Five-time Mann Cup champion and 2-time Mann Cup MVP
Won the FIL World Lacrosse Championship with Canada in 2006 (field)
Won the FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship with Canada in 2003, 2007, and 2011 (box)
2010 FIL World Lacrosse Championship All-World Team choice at attack
Grant, Jr. as a coach
2000: Graduate Assistant Coach, University of Delaware
2003-2009: Co-founder and Head Instructor, Pro Skills Lacrosse Company
2009: Offensive Coordinator, Rochester Knighthawks, NLL
20102018: Co-Founder, Director of Coaching and Player Development, Evolve Elite Lacrosse Company
2014: Assistant Offensive Coordinator Team Canada, Gold Medal World Champion
2015-2018: Head Varsity Coach, Valor Christian High School
2017-2020: Offensive Coordinator, Denver Outlaws
2018-2020: Assistant Coach, U.S. Air Force Academy
2020-2022: Offensive Coordinator, Johns Hopkins University
2022-2023: Director/Head Coach of Lacrosse: The Gerstell Academy
2023-Present: Head Coach of Lacrosse: Vandermont Academy
2022-Present: Club Lacrosse Head Coach, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Lacrosse
2022-Present: Offensive Coordinator, Redwoods Lacrosse Club
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