Roger Williams University has named Kyle Hart the next head coach of its men’s lacrosse program, bringing one of the more experienced DeeThreelax head coaches in New England to Bristol. Hart becomes the 10th head coach in program history and takes over for Kevin Gould, who departed Roger Williams to become the head coach at his alma mater, Bentley University.

The Hawks are getting a coach with 19 years of collegiate coaching experience, including 16 seasons as a DeeThreeLax head coach between Wheaton College and Augustana College. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Kyle Hart to the Hawk family,” Roger Williams Associate Director of Athletics Mike Gallagher said. “His impressive coaching experience, passion for the game, and commitment to student-athlete success make him an outstanding addition to our department.”

Hart arrives at Roger Williams after spending the past 11 seasons as the head coach at Wheaton, where he became the winningest coach in program history with 73 victories. The Lyons posted winning records in three of Hart’s final five seasons and reached at least nine wins in 2022, 2024 and 2026. Wheaton opened the 2026 season 9-2, matching the best start through 11 games in program history. The Lyons finished the year allowing just 145 goals across 15 games, ranking third in the NEWMAC, while holding nine opponents to nine goals or fewer.

One of Hart’s biggest breakthroughs came in 2024. Wheaton entered the NEWMAC Tournament as the No. 4 seed and earned the first conference tournament victory in program history. Following the season, Jacob Wharton became Wheaton’s first USILA Scholar All-American since 2007. Two years earlier, Hart guided the Lyons to a 10-5 record in 2022, matching the program’s highest win total since 2015. Wheaton started that season 7-0, establishing the best start in program history. The Lyons also ranked ninth nationally in clearing percentage, 12th in man-down defense and 22nd in fewest turnovers per game.

Hart’s resume goes beyond his success at Wheaton. Before arriving in Norton, Hart was tasked with building the Augustana College men’s lacrosse program from scratch as its inaugural head coach. From 2010-15, Hart helped establish the Vikings as a competitive DeeThreeLax program, compiling a 42-24 record over four competitive seasons. The program reached another level in 2015 when Augustana won a program-record 14 games, captured the CCIW Tournament championship and earned the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. That experience gives Roger Williams a coach who has already shown an ability to both build a program and elevate an established one.

Hart’s DeeThreelax background goes all the way back to his playing days at Muhlenberg College. After graduating in 2007, Hart remained at his alma mater as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2007-10. During that stretch, the Mules made their first Centennial Conference postseason appearance, produced the first USILA All-American in program history and earned their first victory over a nationally ranked opponent.

Hart was also a standout player for Muhlenberg. The Long Island native became the first All-Centennial Conference selection in program history, earning all-conference honors twice. He served as a team captain during his junior and senior seasons and was named the program’s MVP in 2007.

Now, nearly two decades into his coaching career, Hart will begin his next chapter at Roger Williams. “I am incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to serve as the next head men’s lacrosse coach at Roger Williams University,” Hart said. “Roger Williams is a special place with outstanding academics, a beautiful campus, and offers a terrific student-athlete experience.” Hart added that he looks forward to building relationships throughout the RWU community while working toward competing for championships.

For Roger Williams, this is a hire centered around experience and proven program building. Hart has spent nearly his entire career in DeeThreeLax. He has built a program from its inception, become the winningest coach in another program’s history, won a conference championship and taken teams to the NCAA Tournament. He also brings extensive experience recruiting throughout New England and the Northeast  an important piece for a Roger Williams program competing in one of the deepest DeeThreeLax regions in the country.

Off the field, Hart has remained heavily involved in community initiatives throughout his career, including youth clinics, clothing drives, Team IMPACT and Headstrong’s Mustache Madness campaign. His Wheaton program helped raise $15,000 for families affected by cancer in 2025 through the Headstrong initiative.

For Hart, it’s another opportunity to do something he has already done multiple times throughout his career: Build a program capable of taking the next step.