LOS ANGELES -- Jacob Van Nostrand has been promoted to the head men’s lacrosse coach at the University of Southern California after serving as an assistant for the Trojans last season.

Van Nostrand takes over for Dan Moriarty who stepped down for personal reasons.

“I want to thank Dan for bringing me on board and all he did for the program. Dan did a great job of getting the program going in the right direction again and I’m excited to get to work on bringing it to the next level,” said Van Nostrand.

Van Nostrand was integral in creating one of the best defenses in the SLC, allowing just 7.8 goals per game and earning Peter Hollen SLC Defensive Player of The Year and Second Team All American honors.

The USC team posted an 8-6 record which was the best season ever for a Trojan lacrosse team, included in those eight wins were two victories over Top 25 teams.

No stranger to the game, Van Nostrand previously served on the Corona Del Sol High School Varsity staff in Tempe, Ariz., for two seasons. Prior to that, Van Nostrand was a varsity assistant at Baldwin (N.Y.) High School for four seasons. During his tenure he helped guide Baldwin to a Nassau County championship appearance.

Jake is a highly respected name amongst collegiate coaches in the lacrosse community.

“I have known Jake for almost 20 years and he has always impressed me with his passion and commitment to the game of lacrosse," said Cornell coach Peter Milliman. "He has a knowledge as a coach that stretches far beyond his age and his development over the last few years has been evidence of that. He has been a successful player and coach at many different levels and that will lend itself very well to the lessons he will teach to his new players. The program at USC is going to be in great hands with Jake and I am looking forward to seeing them compete as one of the top MCLA teams in the nation.”

Jake is a skilled technician who has worked with some of the best players in the game, including Ohio Machine professional player Dominique Alexander.

“Coach Jake is a great coach that cares about his players," Alexander said. "His teaching and advice not only allowed me to become a better player, but has allowed me to teach future generations of lacrosse players the right way to play the game.”

Van Nostrand was an outstanding player for Gettysburg College, where he was a two-time All American and team captain while leading the Bullets to consecutive National Championship game appearances. He is still listed on the Gettysburg record books, listed fourth all-time in points.

Prior to Gettysburg, he was an All-New England selection for the Salisbury (Conn.) School. A native of Baldwin, N.Y., Van Nostrand was a team captain and all-county selection for Baldwin.

Recruits and prospective players can contact Van Nostrand at [email protected].