After building Albion College’s men’s lacrosse program from the ground up and turning it into one of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s premier programs, Jake DeCola is moving on. Albion announced that DeCola has resigned after 17 years as the only head coach in program history to accept an assistant coaching position at the University of Michigan, bringing an end to one of the most successful coaching tenures in Britons athletics.

Hired in 2009 before the program’s inaugural varsity season in 2010, DeCola inherited the unique challenge of creating a program from scratch. Starting with just 16 players, he transformed Albion into a perennial conference contender and national tournament participant, compiling a 171-115 overall record while posting a remarkable 71-10 mark in MIAA play. Under DeCola’s leadership, the Britons captured five MIAA regular-season championships (2015-17, 2021 and 2023) and a conference-record six MIAA Tournament titles (2015-18, 2022 and 2025). Albion reached the MIAA Tournament championship game every season from the tournament’s inception in 2013 through 2025 and earned six NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure.

His impact extended well beyond wins and championships. DeCola coached 51 All-MIAA selections, including 33 first-team honorees, while producing 13 conference award winners, 10 IMLCA All-Region selections and six USILA All-Americans. Nine players earned USILA Scholar All-American recognition, while 73 Britons landed on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Three Albion teams also received the USILA Academic Team Award.

He also coached Albion Athletics Hall of Famers Alexander Dziewit and Tim Urso, while the 2015 conference championship team will become the first men’s lacrosse team inducted into the Albion Athletics Hall of Fame later this year.

“I would like to personally thank Jake for his dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment over the past 17 years,” Albion athletic director Jennifer Rushton said in a statement. “Under his guidance, the program achieved sustained success and established a strong foundation for the future. More importantly, Jake has made a lasting impact on countless student-athletes, helping them grow both on and off the field.”

One of DeCola’s most memorable seasons came in 2015, when Albion claimed its first MIAA regular-season and tournament championships. The Britons advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling by one goal to nationally ranked Ohio Wesleyan. That same team earned the District 6 James “Ace” Adams Sportsmanship Award for exemplifying outstanding sportsmanship throughout the season. His coaching staff was recognized nationally in 2022 after leading Albion to a 15-4 record and another MIAA Tournament championship, earning IMLCA Region 5 Coaching Staff of the Year honors. That season also featured one of the greatest individual campaigns in program history as Jace Conley scored a school-record 91 goals, tying for the DeeThreeLax national lead. Four Albion players competed in the prestigious USILA Senior All-Star Game during DeCola’s tenure, and in 2025, he and his staff were selected to coach the South squad in the annual showcase.

Beyond the field, DeCola was known for developing coaches and fostering meaningful relationships throughout the Albion community. Former assistants Brett Wetzel and TJ Thomas went on to become collegiate head coaches, while Andy Herriott later joined the Division I coaching ranks at Colgate. Perhaps no relationship better reflected DeCola’s impact than the bond formed between the program and Harper Mathis, a young brain cancer patient the team met through the Vs. Cancer Foundation in 2021. Inspired by Harper’s positivity, DeCola established the first Harper Strong Classic this past March to honor her memory following her passing earlier this year.

Before arriving at Albion, DeCola spent six seasons as defensive coordinator and top assistant at Guilford College after nearly a decade coaching high school and club lacrosse. A Beverly, Massachusetts, native, he played goalkeeper at UMass-Dartmouth before beginning his coaching career.

In his farewell statement, DeCola reflected on the relationships built over nearly two decades leading the Britons.

“First, I want to thank Albion College for bringing me here 17 years ago to start the varsity lacrosse program,” DeCola said. “For almost two decades, I’ve given this program, the players and the college my all, creating a championship culture built on hard work, dedication, love and community. “I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to do this rewarding work at Albion, and, as excited as I am for what lies ahead for me, it is incredibly difficult to walk away from Albion.” He also thanked his wife, Angie, and daughters, Camille and Gianna, for their unwavering support throughout his time at Albion, noting they “have literally grown up with this program.” “Coaching lacrosse at Albion has literally defined me for one third of my life, and I will carry that with me forever,” DeCola said. “I am extremely proud of the Albion lacrosse program, and I’m excited for its future.”

DeCola now heads to Ann Arbor, where he will join the University of Michigan’s coaching staff, leaving behind a program whose foundation and sustained success bear his imprint from day one.