Allentown, PA — June 1, 2015 — Jake Plunket, a former Division I and professional player who turned a startup program into a championship team at Albright, is the new head men’s lacrosse coach at Muhlenberg College.
“It’s an honor for me to be offered this position at Muhlenberg College,” said Plunket. “I think it’s going to be a great challenge for us as a program to get this thing going in the right direction. I want to see this program reach new heights.”
Plunket led Albright to a 57-17 record in its first four seasons of existence. With a squad comprised almost entirely of freshmen, the Lions went 16-3 in 2012, their inaugural season, advancing to the Commonwealth Conference championship game. Plunket was named Commonwealth coach of the year.
Albright finished 15-4 and 13-6 the next two years, earning votes in the national poll and winning the ECAC Mid-Atlantic championship both seasons. This past spring, the Lions were 13-4 against a schedule that featured four nationally ranked opponents and qualified for the Commonwealth playoffs for the fourth straight year.
In nine years at the Division III level, including five as an assistant, Plunket has coached teams to an outstanding combined record of 129-42 (.754).
A native of upstate New York, Plunket earned his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 2006. He was a four-year player for the Orange, helping the team to two Division I national titles and serving as team captain in 2005.
Plunket went on to play professionally for the Rochester Rattlers in 2007 and 2008, winning the MLL championship in 2008.
Plunket began his coaching career at Cortland State in 2006. As defensive coordinator, he played a major role in leading the Red Dragons to two conference tournament championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2006 national championship. He coached 16 All-Americans in his three seasons at Cortland.
In 2009, Plunket moved on to Hampden-Sydney College. In his second year as assistant coach, he helped lead the Tigers to a school-record-tying 13 wins.
After two seasons at Hampden-Sydney, Plunket landed his first head coaching job at Albright, spending the 2011 season recruiting before beginning varsity competition in 2012.
Plunket is Muhlenberg’s third head coach since men’s lacrosse was reinstated as a varsity sport in 2003.
Plunket’s wife Jess is a former two-time All-American lacrosse player.
