Lindgren Resigns as Crusaders Men's Lacrosse Coach
IRVING, Texas – Keith Lindgren, the head coach for the University of Dallas men's lacrosse team, announced his resignation on Thursday. The two-year coach for the Crusaders has accepted the head coach position at NCAA Division II program Adams State University. Lindgren's final date will be July 16. Dallas will begin searching for its fourth coach of the program immediately.
"I want to thank the University of Dallas and the athletic department for the opportunity and support given during my time at the school. I would also like to thank the program and the outstanding young men that are involved in it. It is with a heavy heart that I leave the Crusaders and wish them all the best of luck as they continue to grow and foster this developing lacrosse program. A sincere thank you goes out the two volunteer assistant coaches, Robert McCarthy and Ian Powers, for the sacrifices and devoted time they gave. Lastly I would like to thank my wife Heather Lindgren for the supporting us through the long weekends and late nights developing the program. Without everyone's support and involvement the successes we reached would have never been possible. GO UD!"
Lindgren joined the Crusaders' staff in October, 2014, and began rebuilding a program in its fourth season after having the 2014 campaign cancelled. Lindgren guided the 2015 squad in his first spring season to a 5-12 record, which tied a program-most for wins in a season. Dallas had four different players break school records and as a team shattered the single-season record for groundballs (578). Matthew Cyr ('16) (St. Louis, Mo.) set a season record for points (49) and Ryan Murphy ('16) (Yorba Linda, Calif.) notched records for saves in an individual game (36), season (301), and career (438). He also led NCAA Division III with 19.67 saves-per-game.
A year later, Lindgren constructed a roster of 19 players with 11 newcomers. Despite a 3-14 mark, the Crusaders once again produced a positive uptick in records set. 12 different records were set including six season records and five career. Three graduating seniors: Alex Ziolkowski (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Cyr, and Murphy all hold the all-time marks. Ziolkowski garnered 244 faceoff wins in the two years with coach Lindgren, and also picked up 199 groundballs. Cyr finished with 68 points, and Murphy built up his previous saves record to 746. Murphy remained a top five goalkeeper in saves-per-game in NCAA DIII with a 17.75-clip. Jacob Tom (Waukesha, Wis.) set two records in the caused turnover column. He had six on April, 10 vs. Benedictine College for a single-game record, and amassed 28 altogether this year for the season record.
Prior to working at Dallas, Lindgren served as the men's lacrosse head coach for MCLA Division II program, University of Northern Colorado. The former Bear standout completed his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies minor in Mass Media in December, 2013.
Lindgren continues his extended history with instructing lacrosse, as his first start in teaching the sport at youth and high school levels dates back to 2004. In August, 2013, Lindgren worked as a head coach for Wheel Chair Lacrosse Denver, demonstrating his passion for the sport carries no bounds.