Cole Kirst was named an assistant coach for the Haverford College men's lacrosse program in July 2026 and will officially begin his tenure with the Fords on August 3, 2026.
Kirst arrives at Haverford following an accomplished professional playing career and extensive experience as a coach, mentor, and broadcaster. Most recently, he served as an assistant varsity boys' lacrosse coach at Verona High School beginning in April 2026, helping cultivate a team culture centered on sportsmanship, leadership, and personal development while assisting with all aspects of player development and game preparation.
In addition to his high school coaching experience, Kirst is the co-founder and director of Kirst Brothers Lacrosse, a training organization he launched alongside his four brothers in 2022. Through camps, clinics, team training sessions, and private instruction, the organization has provided skill development and mentorship to youth and high school players throughout the Northeast.
A standout professional player, Kirst competed with the California Redwoods of the Premier Lacrosse League and the Halifax Thunderbirds of the National Lacrosse League. Playing as a midfielder in the PLL and a forward in the NLL, he earned widespread recognition for his leadership and selfless approach to the game. He was named the recipient of the Premier Lacrosse League's Jimmy Regan Teammate of the Year Award in 2023, recognizing the player who best exemplifies leadership, dedication, and commitment to teammates. He also earned Halifax Thunderbirds Teammate of the Year honors in both 2023 and 2024.
Internationally, Kirst captained the United States U21 Men's National Team to a gold medal at the 2022 World Lacrosse Men's U21 Championship in Limerick, Ireland. His leadership extended throughout his collegiate career, where he served as a team captain at both Lehigh University and Syracuse University.
Kirst spent four seasons at Lehigh before transferring to Syracuse for his graduate season in 2023. He was selected as a team captain during his final season at both institutions, leading the Mountain Hawks in 2022 before serving as captain for the Orange in 2023.
Away from the field, Kirst has built an accomplished career in sports journalism and broadcasting. He earned a master's degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University in 2023 after graduating from Lehigh University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in economics. While at Lehigh, he worked as a sports reporter for The Brown and White, covering the university's athletic programs and gaining valuable experience in multimedia storytelling and sports communications.
