Greg Cannella retiring as of now - Kyle Smith rises

[econalum]

Note - this looks like a very bad cut and paste job.

See below.

Massachusetts Lacrosse Alumni and Supporters,

I write to share news regarding a key coaching change within our men’s lacrosse program. After 31 years as the leader of our men’s lacrosse program, Greg Cannella has announced his plans for retirement effective this fall as we start the school year. Coach Cannella totaled 256 career wins in 31 seasons as the UMass head coach, led the Minutemen to nine NCAA Tournament berths, a 2006 NCAA championship game appearance, and captured eight conference championships. He also guided UMass to the program’s first-ever No. 1 national ranking. Coach Cannella was named the USILA National Coach of the Year in 2006, was given CAA Coach of the Year honors in 2011, 2012, 2018, and 2019, was recognized as New England Coach of the year five times, and collected four ECAC Coach of the Year awards.

We admire Greg’s fantastic coaching success but his legacy is also solidified in the hundreds of young men he has developed along his coaching journey. Greg is a respected leader in our department and community, and his presence in Boyden and on Garber Field will be truly missed. While he plans to step away from coaching, he plans to remain in the area and I am confident he will stay connected to our department, staff and program. In the spring, we plan to celebrate Greg’s retirement with an event for alumni and friends of the program. Stay tuned for “Save the Date” communication and other event details this fall.

With Greg’s retirement, I am extremely excited to announce that alum and current associate head coach Kyle Smith, has accepted my offer to become the next leader of the Massachusetts men’s lacrosse program. A former standout attack at UMass, Kyle returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach in the summer of 2021 and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in the summer of 2024. In his time coaching the Minutemen, Matt Knote earned Third Team USILA All-America awards, and players have combined for 13 Atlantic 10 All-Conference awards, eight NEILA All-New England selections, 47 NEILA All-Academic Team awards and five Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team honors. Kyle returned to UMass following a seven-year stint with Merrimack men’s lacrosse, where he helped the Warriors to two Division II National Championships. As many of you know, Kyle’s ties to the flagship run deep – his father Norm is a two-time UMass alum, who played for legendary coach Dick Garber, and was inducted into the athletics hall of fame in 2018. Norm was a tremendous supporter of the lacrosse program and athletics department.

We look forward to supporting Kyle’s leadership and vision for Massachusetts lacrosse with his promotion. We have increased our investment in the program over the last six years with new facility branding, a new $2M sports performance center and fueling station, expansion and upgrades to the team locker room, a new turf field (opened this August), and $200,000 in scholarship aid/additional benefit funds phased in over the next two years to meet this new moment in college athletics. The investments will continue – men’s lacrosse is a sport that can continue to shine on the national stage furthering the UMass brand and enhancing the pride we all have for this special place.

The press releases announcing Coach Cannella’s retirement and Coach Smith’s appointment are linked below.

As always, THANK YOU for your tremendous support of Massachusetts men’s lacrosse.

Go UMass!

With Gratitude,
Image

[m626t]

Time seems right for this change.

[econalum]

Here is the Globe article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/29/ ... paste_view

Again, a class guy. But the recruiting and funding aspects are where we seem to be challenged. Mass kids need to stay in Mass, a key challenge for Kyle Smith. If we can retain 'our share', we'll be fine.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Thank you Coach Cannella for everything - an amazing program, remarkable seasons and runs, being an ambassador of and for UMass, and being a fantastic person. Enjoy retirement!

[InnervisionsUMASS]

...

Might be good to fix the thread Subject line to correct the spelling of his name.

[econalum]

Done

[inthescoop]

Wow Kyle Smith, I remember having classes with that kid... errrr new head lacrosse coach. Time flies.. nice to see it's an in-house hire.

[Old Cage]

Inside Lacrosse: "At the end of August, @UMassMLacrosse
head coach Greg Cannella announced his retirement after more than three decades at the helm. His legacy and longevity with the Minutemen landed him this year's @IMLCACoaches Lifetime Service Award.

IMLCA @IMLCACoaches Nov 18
The Lifetime Service Award honors those people in the coaching profession who have contributed to the overall growth and development of the sport of men's lacrosse in the United States throughout the duration of their career, and beyond.

2025 Recipient: Greg Cannella (University of Massachusetts)

[econalum]

Well deserved, IMO. Econ

[InnervisionsUMASS]

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... 322c7b1ec9

[MikeUMA]

UMass men’s lacrosse team starts new era with head coach Kyle Smith
https://gazettenet.com/2026/01/29/umass ... yle-smith/