Jesse Bernhardt Awarded Division I IMLCA Outstanding Assistant Coach Honors
11/21/2024 11:05:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland men's lacrosse associated Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Jesse Bernhardt has been awarded the IMLCA Outstanding Assistant Coach Honor in Division I, the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) announced today, Nov. 21.
"Jesse puts in countless hours and is very dedicated to our program," head coach John Tillman said. "He is detail-oriented and a great teacher. Jesse does an awesome job teaching the fundamentals and installing fantastic game plans. He is great at making in-game adjustments and is an outstanding role model for our young men. I don't know where we would be without him."
Bernhardt helped lead a terrific defensive unit for the Terps en route to the program's 10th Final Four since 2011 and eighth National Championship game appearance. Maryland's defense was especially terrific in the postseason, holding Princeton (First Round) and Virginia (Semifinals) to eight goals or less.
Under Bernhardt's tutelage, close defenseman Ajax Zappitello was named the USILA Raymond J. Enners Outstanding Player of the Year, the first close defenseman to win the award since 1993. Additionally, Zappitello brought home Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, making it four straight seasons that a Terp has won the award---all under Bernhardt.
Bernhardt's defense held opposing teams to under seven goals in seven of 17 games last season.
In the offseason, Bernhardt was officially promoted to Associate Head Coach and will enter his eighth season as a member of the Maryland coaching staff in 2025. Bernhardt is a 2013 Maryland graduate. He has had success at all levels of lacrosse, winning two World Championships with Team USA and a Major League Lacrosse Championship with the Chesapeake Bayhawks, while also appearing multiple times as both a player and a coach at the NCAA's Championship weekend. In the spring of 2020, Chrome LC selected Bernhardt second overall in the Premier Lacrosse League entry draft. Today, Bernhardt remains on the Chrome as a team captain. In 2023, Bernhardt not only earned a spot on his third World Championship team, he also was named one of just three team captains.
"Jesse puts in countless hours and is very dedicated to our program," head coach John Tillman said. "He is detail-oriented and a great teacher. Jesse does an awesome job teaching the fundamentals and installing fantastic game plans. He is great at making in-game adjustments and is an outstanding role model for our young men. I don't know where we would be without him."
Bernhardt helped lead a terrific defensive unit for the Terps en route to the program's 10th Final Four since 2011 and eighth National Championship game appearance. Maryland's defense was especially terrific in the postseason, holding Princeton (First Round) and Virginia (Semifinals) to eight goals or less.
Under Bernhardt's tutelage, close defenseman Ajax Zappitello was named the USILA Raymond J. Enners Outstanding Player of the Year, the first close defenseman to win the award since 1993. Additionally, Zappitello brought home Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, making it four straight seasons that a Terp has won the award---all under Bernhardt.
Bernhardt's defense held opposing teams to under seven goals in seven of 17 games last season.
In the offseason, Bernhardt was officially promoted to Associate Head Coach and will enter his eighth season as a member of the Maryland coaching staff in 2025. Bernhardt is a 2013 Maryland graduate. He has had success at all levels of lacrosse, winning two World Championships with Team USA and a Major League Lacrosse Championship with the Chesapeake Bayhawks, while also appearing multiple times as both a player and a coach at the NCAA's Championship weekend. In the spring of 2020, Chrome LC selected Bernhardt second overall in the Premier Lacrosse League entry draft. Today, Bernhardt remains on the Chrome as a team captain. In 2023, Bernhardt not only earned a spot on his third World Championship team, he also was named one of just three team captains.
Players Mentioned
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