NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma men’s lacrosse program is pleased to announce that Mario Enea has signed a five-year deal to remain as head coach for the Sooners through the 2023 season.

"I am excited to share my passion for the game of lacrosse with the student-athletes at the University of Oklahoma, a first class institution," Enea said. "The first two seasons were incredible and I’m looking forward to the upcoming spring season and beyond.”

"Speaking for all of Sooner lacrosse nation, we have enjoyed getting to know Coach Enea over the past couple seasons and are thoroughly impressed by his coaching resume and vision for the future of our organization,” stated Alex Perry, president of the Oklahoma lacrosse alumni association.


"We are so excited to have Coach Enea here for the next five seasons," said Bray O'Connor, a starting attackman and team president. "He brings over 20 years of valuable knowledge and lacrosse experience to our program, and we are ecstatic to bring him on long term. We are ready to bring his winning culture to Norman and look forward to working hard, having fun, and competing with class.”

Enea will begin his 23rd season coaching lacrosse in 2019. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Robert Louis Stevenson School. Enea has been the head coach at Santa Clara University and Santa Catalina, Carmel and Palma High Schools.

He has helped found numerous programs introduce thousands of kids to the game of lacrosse. Enea has developed more than 150 high school and college All-Americans. Enea was named US Lacrosse High School Coach of the Year in 2013.


“I’m really excited Coach Enea accepted the head coach position," said junior defenseman and club treasurer Shane Fullbright. "I know I speak for the rest of the team when I say we’re more than ready to see some of the changes he’s going to make. We’ve had a few good seasons in the past, but I think coach can take us to the next level—I’m confident that he is the guy who’s going to put Oklahoma Lacrosse on the map.”

Enea grew up in Monterey, Calif., playing high school football, baseball and lacrosse at Robert Louis Stevenson School in Pebble Beach. Transferring to and graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Enea was a two-time West Coast Lacrosse League champion, two-time captain, two-time all-League selection. He was also voted Most Inspirational Player. In 2017, he was inducted into the University of California men’s lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Enea founded BraveHeart Lacrosse, a training center for players, coaches and officials. BraveHeart Lacrosse hosts and promotes camps, box lacrosse, sevens tournaments, all star games and a youth travel program. Enea teaches his players to play with honor, integrity and passion.

Enea lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, Whitney, and son, Ritter.

Highlights from Coach Enea’s Tenure

Coach Enea enjoyed a 12-3 record in 2017, leading the team to a 10-0 start, thrilling season concluded with a run to the LSA Championships before falling to SMU.

Coach Enea named 2017 Lone Star Alliance Div I Coach of the Year
2017 Lone Star Alliance Offensive Player of the Year - Matt Hammond - Attack
2017 Lone Star Alliance Defensive Player of the Year - Nicholas Johnston - Goalie
13 Sooners named to LSA All Conference Team

Coach Enea enjoyed a 13-4 record in 2018 season, leading the team to another successful season including an instant classic and thrilling final four game- beating Texas in overtime! Season concluded with back-to-back runs to the LSA championships before falling to Texas
A & M.
2018 Lone Star Alliance Offensive Player of the Year - Eddie Arnold - Attack
2018 Lone Star Alliance Defensive Player of the Year - Nicholas Johnston - Goalie

10 Sooners named to 2018 LSA All Conference Team
1st Team - Eddy Arnold, Nicholas Johnston, Ryan McCabe, Reed Bobadilla,
2nd Team - Jack Hundley, Austen Sanchez, Kyle Franckewitz, Matt Cohen
3rd Team - Jackson Buell, Nick Rauchle Honorable Mention: Bray O’Connor

Four Sooner Lacrosse Players named to MCLA Scholar Athlete roll
Bray O,Connor, Nicholas Johnson,
Ryan McCabe & Kyle Fronckiewicz

February 9 & 10, 2019 will mark the beginning of the Sooners Lacrosse season. Opening out of conference games vs the University of Florida and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.