GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport University women's lacrosse head coach, Rob Harris, has chosen to step down after nine seasons at the helm of the Panthers. The university will open a national search to find its new head coach for the women's lacrosse program.
"Rob has been a respected coach and colleague during his tenure at DU," said Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Paul Lowden. "His leadership helped foster a culture of excellence both athletically and academically for our women's lacrosse program. His passion and commitment to mentoring/preparing his student-athletes for life after DU has directly contributed to the overall success of this program. We wish him all the best as he takes on new challenges in his next endeavor."
In those nine campaigns, the Panthers won nearly 70 percent of their games (102-45) and reached new heights in both the WHAC and GLIAC. The program has won 10 or more games in a season eight times and Harris was the head coach for six of them including a 17-3 mark in 2016, in which DU won both the NWLL National and NAIA Invitational Championships.
In 2021, DU's fourth season as a member of the GLIAC and NCAA Division II, Harris led the Panthers to a historic campaign. It included the program's first NCAA top-25 ranking, GLIAC Tournament win, GLIAC Tournament finals appearance, and multiple individual honors at the league, regional and national levels.
"This decision was not a quick or easy one," said Harris. "Many months went into this ultimate decision to get out of this profession, and I know I am doing the right thing for me, my family, and Davenport. I was given this opportunity nine years ago by Paul Lowden and Ronda Varnesdeel and it was the best thing to ever happen to me. Davenport is an amazing place and I love the opportunity I was given. My life has changed over the last three years and my decision to leave Davenport has nothing to do with the school. I just know that my passion for coaching is not at the level it takes to keep growing this program into what I know it can become. Thank you to all the support staff, maintenance, student workers, and anyone who has helped me make this program into what it has become. I'm proud of this team and what we have all accomplished and I will be a Panther for life."
Posting details relative to the position will be shared at a later date. The posting will be made available through our human resources department website at https://www.davenport.edu/careers.
