Shane Lynch was named head coach of the Nichols College Men’s Lacrosse Team prior to the 2023 spring season.
In his fourth season at the helm, Lynch helped guide the Bison to major improvements in 2026. After posting just three wins in 2025, the team leaped forward to an 8-10 overall record with a 4-5 mark in conference play, ultimately helping the team qualify for the CNE Postseason as the No. 6 seed. Under Coach Lynch, Nichols finished with 182 goals (10.7 per game) while ranking among the CNE leaders in several categories, including first in both man-up (23) and man-down (3) goals, second in faceoff percentage (.609), third in caused turnovers (180), and fourth in ground balls (621). Following the campaign, Lynch's Bison brought home two All-Conference honors from the CNE. with Conor Doherty landing on the Second Team, and face-off specialist Travis Arnold on the Third Team.
Throughout his tenure on "The Hill", Lynch has guided Nichols to three appearances in the Conference of New England (CNE) Tournament Championship, highlighted by the team's 2023 CCC Semifinal victory at Roger Williams University, 6-4 in his first season with the program. Individually, a number of the program’s student-athletes have stood out under Lynch's guidance, with nine players earning various All-Conference honors, including 2023 CCC Scholar Athlete of the Year Nick Gualtieri.
Prior to arriving at Nichols, Shayne Lynch built a strong track record of player development and team success. At College of the Holy Cross, he served as an Associate Head Coach and helped develop the likes of All-Patriot League First Team defender Matt Farrell, and the program's first Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) draft pick, Sean New, selected in the first round of the 2020 PLL Draft. He also mentored Chris Conlin, an All-Patriot League First Team selection in 2022. As the primary Defensive Coordinator for the Crusaders, Lynch's defense finished the 2019 regular-season ranked fifth in caused turnovers, eighth in scoring defense, and 15th in man-down defense in all of NCAA Division I.
Lynch previously served as head coach and assistant athletic director at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), where he helped recruit and develop future Navy men's lacrosse student-athletes. Before NAPS, he was an assistant coach at Washington College, helping guide the Shoremen to an 18-2 record and a Division III Final Four appearance in 2014. During his tenure, he coached several nationally recognized players, including Division III Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Casey McKnight.
Known for developing talent, Lynch has also coached five National Lacrosse League (NLL) draft picks throughout his career. A former team captain and four-year letter winner at Wesley College, Lynch earned his bachelor's degree in Sports Management in 2011 before completing a master's degree in History at Washington College in 2014.
