Just two weeks after the departure of all-time winningest former head coach Mike Murphy from Penn men’s lacrosse, Taylor Wray has been named the new head coach of the program, Penn Athletics announced Friday.
“We were impressed by his ability to maximize his resources and develop his student-athletes, both on and off the field. The future is bright for Penn men’s lacrosse as we pursue Ivy League titles and deep NCAA Championship runs,” 1996 College graduate and T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W‘69 Director of Athletics and Recreation Alanna Wren said in a press release announcing the decision. “Taylor is a proven winner, and his teams play an exciting and tough brand of lacrosse.”
Wray, who was the head coach at Saint Joseph’s for 14 seasons, led the Hawks to a 127-79 overall record. Before his arrival in 2012, the Hawks had a winless season and a 97-181 record in the 19 seasons prior. Since then, Wray led the team to a 106-69 record in 11 seasons. In 2015 and 2016, Wray also brought the Hawks to two consecutive Northeast Conference final berths, the first time in St. Joe’s program history.
Wray’s successes only increased from there, as the program garnered its first NCAA tournament appearance in 2022. The Hawks were ranked No. 13 in the nation in 2024 following an Atlantic 10 title and their second NCAA tournament appearance. Wray would leave the Hawks after a 9-6 conference record in 2025. During his time with the Hawks, Wray won eight conference coach of the year awards, and coached four All-Americans and two Premier Lacrosse League draft picks.
Wray was one of seven candidates to interview for the position, according to Inside Lacrosse. The others were Boston University head coach Ryan Polley, Notre Dame assistant coaches Ryan Wellner and Chris Wojcik, Maryland assistant coach Jesse Bernhardt, Virginia assistant coach Kevin Cassese, and Princeton assistant coach Jim Mitchell, according to the outlet.
Alongside coaching the Hawks, Wray also coached Team Canada from 2010 to 2023. He served as the defensive coordinator in 2010, 2014, and 2018, and the Under-20 defensive coordinator in 2022.
In 2025, the Quakers compiled a 4-10 overall record, their worst finish since 2012. They also recorded a 1-5 finish in the Ancient Eight, good for a seventh-place conference finish. Prior to the start of the campaign, Penn was ranked No. 12 in the nation by USA Lacrosse Magazine.
St. Joe’s associate head coach Scott Meehan has been promoted to head coach of the Hawks after Wray was appointed as head coach of the Quakers.
RELATED:
Mike Murphy, all-time winningest coach of Penn men’s lacrosse, let go after 16 seasons
