PHILADELPHIA – The Temple men’s lacrosse program has announced its coaching staff for its inaugural season in the MCLA this spring.

Chris Berkelbach enters his sixth season as head coach of the Owls and has led the program to some of its most successful campaigns. The highlight was the 2015 NCLL Division II championship, followed by national tournament appearances the past two springs in Division I.

Berkelbach has a career record of 66-21 and also has experience as coach of the Southshore Lacrosse Club from 2009-14.

Joining Berkelbach’s staff are five assistants.

Taking the offensive coordinator duties will be Ryan Winters. No stranger to the MCLA, Winters is the former head coach at Florida, where he led the Gators to three MCLA National Championships appearances along with the SELC title in 2010. In his nine years in Gainesville, he amassed a record of 68-57.

The defensive coordinator duties will be filled by Alex Wenzel. Wenzel played collegiately at South Carolina, where he was named SELC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-American as a close defender in 2018. Wenzel was critical in helping the Gamecocks advance to the national quarterfinals his senior year.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, a member of the Temple squad from 2015-17, will be the Owls’ goalies coach this spring while Tyler Verdoni will work with the faceoff unit. Verdoni played at Georgia Court (NCAA D-II), where he is the career leader in faceoff wins.

Collin Mitchell, a four-year standout for Central Michigan, joins the staff and will help with goalies and the offense. Mitchell finished his career with the Chippewas with 133 career points and three all-conference selections.