The University of Hartford wasted little time finding its next leader. Just weeks after longtime head coach Ryan Martin announced he would be stepping down after 12 years with the program, Hartford has promoted associate head coach Kevin Sanna ’16 to become the 15th head coach in program history. Director of Athletics & Recreation Alicia Queally announced the promotion on Monday, July 27, praising Sanna’s leadership and commitment to the program.

“I’m excited to announce Kevin Sanna as our next head coach to lead the men’s lacrosse program here at Hartford,” said Queally. “Kevin brings superior leadership and pride to this role and I know he will have an immediate and positive impact with the team. He has been an integral part of the team’s success to date and I look forward to seeing him continue to move the program forward.”

Sanna takes over a program that has experienced its most successful stretch in recent history under outgoing head coach Ryan Martin. Martin recently announced his decision to step away from coaching after 12 years with the Hawks to prioritize his family.

“Serving as the head coach at Hartford has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am thankful to every player, alumnus, and supporter who has been a part of this journey. The relationships we’ve built and memories we’ve shared will stay with me forever. While it’s time for me to prioritize my family, I leave with immense pride in what this program has accomplished and complete confidence in its future.”

Martin joined Hartford as the program’s lead assistant in 2015 before being promoted to head coach in June of 2016. During his 10 seasons leading the Hawks, he compiled a 51-57 overall record, finishing with the third-most victories and the third-highest winning percentage in program history. His final two seasons marked a turning point for Hartford men’s lacrosse. The Hawks posted back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time in program history, finishing 21-13 combined in 2025 and 2026 while going an impressive 11-3 at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. The 2026 campaign was one of the best in recent memory. Hartford finished 11-6 overall and 7-2 in Conference of New England play, earning the No. 3 seed in the CNE Tournament. After defeating Nichols College in the quarterfinals, the Hawks advanced to the conference semifinals before falling to eventual CNE champion Western New England.

Hartford also excelled away from the field, posting the highest men’s team GPA in school history at 3.67 while earning eight CNE All-Conference selections. Statistically, the Hawks produced one of the top offensive seasons in school history, finishing with 413 points and 226 goals both ranking second all-time while recording 121 caused turnovers, the third-highest single-season total in program history. Over his decade as head coach, Martin coached 23 All-Conference selections and helped establish a culture centered on both competitive success and academic excellence.

“We are grateful for Ryan’s 12 years with the University of Hartford Men’s Lacrosse program,” Queally said. “He brought great leadership and stability to the program, but most importantly, he and his staff recruited outstanding student-athletes to the program and University. We will miss Ryan greatly and wish him success in his next chapter.”

Rather than looking outside the program, Hartford turned to one of its own. Sanna has been part of the Hawks program for the past 13 years as both a player and coach. After joining the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in 2019, he was promoted to assistant coach in 2021 before being elevated to associate head coach in August 2024. Now, he’ll take over the program he once helped lead from the defensive end.

“It is a dream come true to become the next head coach for the University of Hartford Men’s Lacrosse program,” said Sanna. “Over the last 13 years I have been honored to call the University of Hartford my home. We are going to put our student-athletes in the best position on and off the field to be successful. I would like to thank the players, alumni, staff, and former coaches for having my back through this process. WIN THE DAY!”

Sanna has played a major role in Hartford’s recent resurgence as the program’s defensive coordinator. Over the past two seasons, the Hawks have gone 21-13 overall while producing the first consecutive double-digit win seasons in school history. Hartford’s defense has become one of the team’s strengths under Sanna’s leadership. The Hawks recorded the second-most caused turnovers in a season with 133 in 2025 before following that up with 121 in 2026, the third-highest total in program history. During that same two-year stretch, Hartford limited opponents to just 8.80 goals per game. Overall, the Hawks have posted a 42-39 record during Sanna’s time on the coaching staff.

Before beginning his coaching career, Sanna was one of Hartford’s standout defensemen from 2013-17. A two-year team captain, he earned three America East All-Academic Team selections while also being named to the 2017 NEILA Academic All-New England Team and receiving America East Elite 18 honors. In 58 career games, Sanna made 55 starts, collecting 60 ground balls and 33 caused turnovers. His 33 caused turnovers still rank 10th in program history.

One of the defining moments of his playing career came during Hartford’s memorable 2016 America East Tournament run. With just 71 seconds remaining in the semifinal against nationally ranked No. 4 UAlbany, Sanna forced a crucial turnover that led to the game-tying goal with 28 seconds left. The Hawks went on to complete the upset with an 11-10 overtime victory before defeating Vermont 17-16 to capture the program’s second America East Championship.

Sanna earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Hartford’s Barney School of Business in 2016 before completing his MBA in 2017.