Jon Torpey Named Rothman Head Coaching Chair for Men's Lacrosse

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University's Chancellor Samuel M. Mencoff '78 Vice President for Athletics and Recreation M. Grace Calhoun '92, Ph.D. has named Jon Torpey the Rothman Head Coaching Chair for Men's Lacrosse.

Torpey has led the High Point University men's lacrosse program since its inception, being named its first head coach in 2010 (NCAA season began in 2013). Torpey took just three seasons of NCAA competition to lead the Panthers to their first NCAA Tournament berth when the team defeated Richmond in the 2015 Southern Conference Championship game. He led the Panthers to their second NCAA tournament appearance in 2022 after defeating Richmond in the SoCon final, 11-8. 

Torpey becomes the seventh Brown men's lacrosse head coach since 1963. 

"I would like to thank President Paxson, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Grace Calhoun, and the entire Brown community for this amazing opportunity," Torpey said. "For the last 14 years, I have given my heart and soul to High Point University, our lacrosse program, and our wonderful young men. Building a program from scratch with amazing people and seeing our young men grow into leaders on and off the field was the thrill of a lifetime."

Added Torpey, "I am beyond excited to bring my wife and children to this exceptional University and start this new journey. We will do everything in our power to develop our young men on and off the field and make our university and alumni proud to be associated with our program."

"We entered into this search process understanding Brown is a premiere job in men's lacrosse," Calhoun said. "The immediate interest from top coaches around the country confirmed this.  From the first conversation through the final interview, Coach Torpey felt like an exceptional fit for the university and program. He is a remarkable leader who coaches with passion and humility. Coach Torpey has had success competing against the top teams in the country. I'm excited to see what Coach Torpey can do at Brown with the support of one of the top alumni communities in college lacrosse. We welcome Jon, Tegan, and the Torpey family to Providence."

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Torpey led High Point to 89 victories in seven winning seasons. Under Torpey, High Point had six wins over ranked opponents, including wins over #2 Duke and #9 Virginia in the 13-win 2019 season.

Before arriving at High Point, Torpey spent two seasons as the associate head coach at Dartmouth under head coach Andy Towers '93 and five seasons before that as an assistant at the University of Denver under Jamie Munro '89.

A 2000 graduate of Ohio State, Torpey was a three-year captain of the Buckeyes under head coach Joe Breschi, an assistant coach at Brown from 1993-97, and current head coach at North Carolina.

Torpey earned Smith & Street's All-America honors as a senior and was a three-time Big 10 All-Academic honoree and four-year Scholar-Athlete Award winner.

In the professional ranks, Torpey won a NLL title with the Colorado Mammoth in 2006 and a MLL title with the Philadelphia Barrage in 2004.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JON TORPEY

"I have known Jon a long time and I am a big fan. He has great energy, is outgoing, and personable, and possesses one of the most creative lacrosse minds in the game. In a lot of ways, he has always seemed like a Brown man. I am very confident that Bruno lacrosse fans are going to thoroughly enjoy getting to know him."

Dom Starsia '74, Brown Athletic Hall of Famer, four-time NCAA champion, and former Head Coach at Brown and Virginia

"This hire puts the Ivy League on immediate notice as well as the rest of the country. I applaud Grace Calhoun and Tim Fitzpatrick on their search process and for doing all of their respective due diligence on a tremendous candidate pool. It paid off. The fact is, they couldn't have hired a bigger winner in Jon as he leads with humility and character, which complement his integrity and hyper-competitive spirit. This is a MASSIVE win for everyone passionate about seeing Brown men's lacrosse return to national prominence."

Andy Towers '93, Brown Athletic Hall of Famer and Carolina Chaos (PLL) Head Coach

"Brown Men's Lacrosse is getting a great coach and mentor in Jon Torpey. Coach Torpey's work ethic and commitment to excellence are phenomenal. I could not be more excited to welcome Coach Torpey into the Brown Lacrosse family."

David Evans '96, Brown Athletic Hall of Famer

"What an amazing opportunity for Jon Torpey and Brown University men's lacrosse. A three-time captain for me as a player at Ohio State and a born leader who built the High Point program from the ground up. Brown men's lacrosse is in great hands for years to come."

Joe Breschi, North Carolina Head Coach

"Congratulations to Brown University and the decision to hire Jon Torpey as their new head men's lacrosse coach. Jon is one of my favorite people in the coaching fraternity. He started a program from the ground floor and in no time, turned it into a competitive Division I lacrosse team that could compete with any team in the country. He is creative, and enthusiastic, and cares deeply about his students and our sport. He is  family-oriented and a great man."

John Danowski, Duke Head Coach