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Mindy McCord
Named the first-ever head coach of USF women’s lacrosse by Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly on May 31, 2022, Mindy McCord has been honored eight times as a conference coach of the year and has established herself as a passionate advocate of lacrosse nationally while previously launching collegiate lacrosse programs at Virginia Tech and Jacksonville. She has 34 years invested in coaching at the collegiate and high school level.
A highly-accomplished program leader, McCord has posted a a 240-118 (.670) career record in 21 seasons as a lacrosse head coach, ranking among the top 20 active coaches in the nation. She came to USF after building a Jacksonville University program from the ground up and leading it to national prominence, posting a 170-62 (.733) record over the first 13 years of the program’s existence while also helping to fundraise and design a lacrosse facility that ranks among the nation’s best.
“I’m proud of the culture that we built,” McCord said of her time at JU. “I’m proud of the relationships that we've established. I’m proud of the success that we had. It’s been a mission of building great positive relationships, where young women can live their dreams and pursue whatever academic career that they want. And to work to be a top 20 program and compete at the NCAA level was truly icing on the cake.”
As a women’s lacrosse and field hockey head coach, McCord has accumulated 326 total wins in two sports at all levels. Her teams have earned conference championships in 13 seasons and twice earned runner-up finishes in lacrosse during her career and she has recruited and developed 13 All-Americans and 26 all-region selections. McCord’s teams have earned a combined 21 conference regular season and tournament titles (eight each in the ASUN), 11 straight completed seasons with a conference championship (since 2011), and eight NCAA Lacrosse Tournament appearances reaching the Sweet 16 twice.
"We are absolutely thrilled to name a leader of Mindy McCord's proven capabilities and passion for the sport as the first head coach in USF women's lacrosse history," Kelly said. "Not only does she have tremendous experience building a program from the ground up and leading it to multiple conference titles and national prominence, but also has done it in the state of Florida.”
McCord came to USF after a 2022 season in which she led the Jacksonville to its fourth straight ASUN regular-season title (eighth overall), the program’s eighth ASUN Tournament title and led the nation in scoring for seventh time averaging 17.21 goals per game. Under her direction, the Dolphins have compiled 18 NCAA statistical championships and one individual statistical title (Rachel Hannon, Draw Control – 2012), and have set the standard for offensive success, leading the nation in scoring on seven occasions and setting the NCAA record for scoring offense twice (2012 and 2018).
"Student-athletes and fans gravitate to her up-tempo, high-scoring style of play that has seen many of her teams rank among the highest-scoring in the nation,” Kelly said. “She combines with that the vision and drive to build a highly-successful program, a passionate investment in the welfare of student-athletes, and a strong desire and skill set to connect with her community that we feel is the perfect combination to launch our program."
McCord’s student-athletes also excel off the field. Her women’s lacrosse program was the most academically successful program at JU in 2021 and 2022, posting team grade-point averages of 3.76 and 3.70, respectively. Women’s lacrosse student-athletes earned 2022 Jacksonville University graduation awards for the No. 1 student in nursing, the No. 1 student in the Davis College of Business, and the No. 1 graduate student. In 2014, the program finished with the third-highest team GPA in NCAA Division I lacrosse and has been awarded both JU’s community service and school spirit awards multiple times while developing a team culture known for its infectious spirit and commitment to service.
"I want to thank Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly and Deputy Athletics Director Kris Pierce for inviting me to interview and offering me the opportunity to be the first USF Division I lacrosse coach ever,” McCord said. “I am honored to serve #TeamUSF. It’s a very special day for me and my family. For 20 years, I have been coaching and helping grow the sport of lacrosse in the state of Florida. It’s been a fun, faith-filled, family journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Now, with the positive culture infused by Mr. Kelly and his staff at USF, we get to go all out and reach for the highest of heights with Tampa’s first D1 lacrosse team!
“I am incredibly humbled to take the reins at USF. Trust me, it had to be the most perfect of opportunities to cause me to leave such a strong labor of love that JU was in my life. I will forever treasure my relationships at JU and will always remember the incredible success we
built from 2010 through last season. I am grateful to so many friends and supporters at JU who supported our program’s journey there."
McCord continued the JU program’s success in 2022 as the Dolphins posted a 14-5 record (5-0, ASUN), won both conference regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second straight year with a 20-8 defeat of Stanford. The Dolphins led the nation in shots with 704 and finished first in scoring offense, third in points per game, and second in scoring margin. The Dolphins garnered two USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American Honorable Mentions (Molly Brock and Sarah Elms), two IWLCA All-Region selections (Brock and Elms), the ASUN Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year (Paige Pagano), the ASUN Midfielder of the Year (Molly Brock), six ASUN All-Conference First Team honorees, ASUN tournament MVP (Pagano), three ASUN All-Freshman team selections and five ASUN All-Academic Team selections.
During her career, McCord has guided 13 ASUN Player of the Year selections (5 players of the year, six defensive players of the year, four freshmen of the year, and one midfielder of the year), 81 ASUN All-Conference picks (41 first team), one ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Ali Hoffman, 2013 & 2014), 31 ASUN All-Academic Team selections and 35 IWLCA Academic Honor Roll selections. Her teams have earned eight IWLCA Academic Honor Squad recognitions, including Merit Squad in 2013.
“If the positive attitude at USF isn’t enough, Tampa Bay is full of winning attitudes with world champions seemingly around every corner,” McCord said of her move to the Bay area. “This is an opportunity that will allow our program to go all the way. Nowhere else is there this much support for student-athletes and their quality of life! The university is growing rapidly too. There’s a reason for all this growth. There’s every reason for top prospects to come to Tampa Bay and join this program. Everything is in place for USF to become one of the greatest programs in the country. The plan we have for a state-of-the-art stadium and facility is unparalleled. The commitment to success is the same.”
A 1993 graduate of Lynchburg College, earning a psychology degree and cum laude honors, McCord earned a master’s in counselor education from Virginia Tech in 1995. In 2015, she was inducted into the Lynchburg College Hall of Fame where she was a team captain and four-year lacrosse starter, earning rookie of the year, all-conference, regional All-American, and North/South Senior All-Star Game honors and went on to play in Australia while studying abroad.
McCord’s coaching career began while studying for her master’s degree at Virginia Tech, where she coached the women’s lacrosse club team for two years, helping them to earn Division I status in the ACC.
The 2022 season was yet another on McCord's long list of Conference Regular Season Championship campaigns, as the Dolphins captured their fourth straight regular season title, and ninth overall (ASUN & NLC), leading them into the 2022 ASUN conference tournament as the definitive No. 1 see. In the tournament, the Dolphins beat both Coastal Carolina and then Liberty to capture the program's tenth overall conference tournament championship, while also landing five players on the All-Tournament Team with redshirt freshman goalkeeper Paige Pagano claiming ASUN Tournament MVP honors.
Throughout the season McCord's squad racked numerous awards and honors, including two USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American Honorable Mentions (Molly Brock and Sarah Elms), and two IWLCA All-Region selections (Brock and Elms, ASUN Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year (Paige Pagano), ASUN Midfielder of the Year (Molly Brock), six ASUN All-Conference First Team selections, three ASUN All-Freshman team selections, seven ASUN Player of the Week awards and five ASUN All-Academic Team selections. The Dolphins also had their fair share of team success, leading the country in scoring (17.2 goals per game) and shots per game. (37.05) while also claiming second in scoring margin and third in points per game and third points per game.
Jacksonville claimed their eighth bid to the NCAA Tournament, and put on one of their most complete performances of the season as they ran away with a 20-8 victory over Stanford to advance to the second round of the tournament for the third time. Unfortunately, a second-round matchup with Florida was lost, 15-10, ending the historic season. The Dolphins finished ranked No. 15 in the IWLCA poll and No. 14 in the computer poll.
2021 – Jacksonville:
2021 was arguably the most historic year under coach McCord at Jacksonville. The program earned its first win over a top ranked team after defeating the Florida, 12-11, in the March 13 season-opener. The Dolphins finished the regular season with an 11-1 record. At the ASUN Conference Tournament, the team captured its fourth-straight and seventh overall ASUN Conference Championship title and landed Jenny Kinsey, Lauren Phillips, Caroline Peterson and Molly Brock on the All-Tournament Team. Sarah Elms garnered ASUN Conference Tournament MVP honors. After winning the ASUN, the Dolphins earned their seventh bid to the NCAA Tournament and defeated Vanderbilt in the first round, 20-12, to move onto the second round for the second time in program history.
Several Dolphins recorded their own historic performances. Five Dolphins were placed on the ASUN All-Conference First Team, three on the ASUN All-Conference Second Team and one to the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Brock was named Defensive Player of the Year, McCord was named Coach of the Year and Elms was labeled the ASUN Player of the Year. McCord and Elms were also unanimous selections.
Elms became the first Dolphin in the program’s history to be named to the IWLCA All-South Region Second Team and also earned Honorable Mention All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine.
2020 – Jacksonville:
In 2020, the Dolphins were off to a 3-1 start overall and 1-0 in ASUN competition before the season was unexpectedly canceled due to the worldwide Coronavirus outbreak. At the time the season ended, Sarah Elms ranked fourth in the NCAA in goals per game (4.50) and Jenny Kinsey ranked in the top-20 nationally in assists per game (2.25). As a team, Jacksonville offensively ranked 12th nationally in points per game (23.50) and 17th in assists per game (7.25), while defensively ranking fourth in caused turnovers per game (13.25). The Dolphins also saw four different players claim ASUN Player of the Week Awards during the shortened season.
2019 – Jacksonville:
Jacksonville matched a program record with 17 wins in 2019, including the Dolphins’ first-ever victory in the NCAA Tournament – a 22-7 drubbing of Mercer in the Opening Round held at D.B. Milne Field. The game was also the first NCAA Tournament contest hosted by the Dolphins. JU rode its win streak through its seventh consecutive ASUN Conference Regular Season title and its sixth ASUN Tournament crown. Following the tournament, five players were named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team, including MVP and freshman draw specialist Molly Brock. Eleven total players were named to the All-ASUN Conference Teams, with freshman goalie Dayna Martinetto named ASUN Freshman of the Year and McCord voted Coach of the Year for the second straight season and fifth time at JU. Martinetto was also named to the Inside Lacrosse Women’s Rookie of the Year Watch List.
2018 – Jacksonville:
The 2018 season saw the Dolphins bring home their sixth-straight ASUN Conference Regular Season title, along with their fifth ASUN Tournament title as they defeated Coastal Carolina, 25-19, in the highest-scoring ASUN Tournament championship game. Ashtyn Hiron earned ASUN Player of the Year honors, McCord was named ASUN Co-Coach of the Year, and nine players earned All-ASUN honors. The Dolphins earned their second-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and fifth appearance in six years.
2017 – Jacksonville:
In 2017, the Dolphins earned a share of the ASUN regular season title after finishing 9-1 in conference play, and went on to win their fourth ASUN Tournament Championship in five years, defeating Coastal Carolina 11-10. McCord also coached two-time FIL World Cup participant for Team Australia Ashtyn Hiron. Two Dolphins were selected to represent JU at the annual IWLCA North/South Senior All-Star Game as Danielle Della Rocca and Erika Brager both played for the South Team.
2016 – Jacksonville:
The 2016 season saw the Dolphins post an NCAA-best scoring margin and points per game, along with second-best scoring offense, rank third in assists per game, sixth in scoring defense, and ninth in caused turnovers per game. McCord was again named the conference's Coach of the Year, and led seven players to first or second-team all-conference honors, as well as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year in Ashtyn Hiron.
2051 – Jacksonville:
Jacksonville recorded a program-high 17 wins in 2015 to secure its third consecutive ASUN championship. The Dolphins exited the NCAA Tournament in the opening round, falling 13-8 against Massachusetts, but left on a high note. The campaign ended with a program-best 11-game winning streak, and set a new single season best in points (467) and assists (156). The defense also surrendered a program-low 146 goals. It marked the first time the Dolphins earned a statistical championship in assists while also finishing first in scoring margin and ground balls.
2014 – Jacksonville:
The Dolphins were crowned Atlantic Sun champions in 2014 after trumping Detroit, 18-4, in the title game. Lauded for their offensive and defensive prowess, over the course of the season the Dolphins earned 11 A-Sun Player of the Week honors, 10 All-Atlantic honorees - including Player of the Year (Morgan Derner) and Defensive Player of the Year (Britt Orashen) - and three Academic All-Conference recipients, including Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Ali Hoffman).
The program continued to receive national attention as it earned NCAA statistical titles in scoring (15.4 per game) and ground balls (24.25) and closed the season with the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) honoring the team and four student-athletes for academic achievements.
Collectively, JU’s grade point average earned the team a spot on the Division I Academic Honor Squad while former Fins Alexandra Hoffman (Finance) and Kaitlin Stewart (Computer Art and Graphic Design) joined rising seniors Tori Seitz (Accounting) and Holly Ventimiglia (Physical Education) on the Academic Honor Roll.
2013 – Jacksonville:
The Dolphins went 13-6 in the 2013 campaign. The team was ranked first in the NCAA in scoring (15.86 goals per game), caused turnovers (11+ per game) and ground balls (25+ per game). Coach McCord was named Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year and was selected to coach the IWLCA Division I Senior All Star Game as the coach of the South team. Twelve players earned individual all-conference awards at the conclusion of the season.
Coach McCord’s team also proved to be scholar athletes with a combined team GPA of 3.47, which was the second highest team average in NCAA Div. I women’s lacrosse. Her squad earned the IWLCA's highest academic recognition in 2013.
2012 – Jacksonville:
In the program’s third year, McCord guided the Dolphins to the conference tournament title on top of a 6-1 NLC record. The Dolphins beat rival High Point, 19-6, in the final capping a season-ending run that saw the team give up a paltry 5.5 goals per game in the last eight contests while winning eight of their last nine. Coach McCord landed her 100th career victory in the 20-10 win over Louisville on March 12, 2012.
On top of winning the NLC title, 2012 saw the Dolphins lead the country in scoring (18.6 goals per game) for the second consecutive year and defender Rachel Hannon set the NCAA all-time record for draw controls in a season (131).
2011 – Jacksonville:
In just their second year, McCord guided the Dolphins to a regular season NLC championship in 2011, posting a 7-0 record in league play and a 14-5 overall mark. The Dolphins also won two NLC Tournament contests, advancing to the conference championship game against High Point.
JU led Division I in scoring average, posting 308 goals in 19 games for a 16.21 goals-per-game average. McCord’s team joined Stanford, Maryland and national champion Northwestern as one of just four programs to crack the 300-goal mark. The Dolphins also thrived in the classroom, recording a collective 3.34 grade-point-average.
2010 – Jacksonville:
In 2010, McCord's team finished first nationally in ground balls in finishing its inaugural campaign 7-11. That season also included the first victory in JU history when the Dolphins beat Detroit-Mercy, 15-13. In building a program from scratch, McCord earned co-NLC Coach of the Year honors after JU advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
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