SMU Hires Jim Mitchell as First Lacrosse Coach

The university recruits the former Princeton offensive coordinator to launch its inaugural men's lacrosse program.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Other Sports

SMU Hires Jim Mitchell as First Lacrosse Coach

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SMU has officially appointed Jim Mitchell as the first head coach to lead the university's new men's lacrosse program. Mitchell joins the Dallas-based institution following a successful tenure as the offensive coordinator at Princeton.

Why it matters

The hire marks a strategic step for SMU as it builds a new varsity team from the ground up. Damon Evans led the search, prioritizing leadership and culture-building as the key requirements for the program's debut.

During his time as offensive coordinator at Princeton, Mitchell's teams averaged 14.54 goals per game. He also oversaw a 16-9 win against Notre Dame in the 2026 National Championship game.

The players

Jim Mitchell

He is the newly appointed head coach for the inaugural SMU men's lacrosse team and a 2006 graduate of St. Mary's College.

Damon Evans

He is a leadership figure at SMU who identified the primary qualifications needed for the new coaching position.

The details

Mitchell previously served as the head coach at Bellarmine in 2019 and spent four years as the offensive coordinator at Rutgers, where the team achieved a No. 1 national ranking. He is a 2006 graduate of St. Mary's College in Maryland and brings experience as a former defensive coordinator.

2006: Jim Mitchell graduated from St. Mary's College.
2019: Mitchell served as the head coach at Bellarmine.
2020: Mitchell began his tenure as Princeton offensive coordinator.
2026: Princeton won the National Championship.
October 2026: SMU hired Jim Mitchell.

Season Trajectory

Establishing a new program requires navigating the competitive landscape of the NCAA Division I lacrosse structure. This hire positions the team to eventually compete against established programs once the roster is developed.

The hiring of a coach with championship-level experience suggests SMU intends to compete at a high level once the program launches. Future recruiting efforts will likely focus on players capable of sustaining the high-scoring offensive identity Mitchell established at Princeton.

The takeaway

Building a new collegiate program relies heavily on the pedigree and tactical history of the inaugural head coach. Prospective players and fans can look to Mitchell's previous success at Princeton as a benchmark for the team's expected offensive philosophy.