CALDWELL, Idaho – After 12 season at the helm, College of Idaho men's lacrosse head coach Matt Gier has announced his resignation to take on an expanded role on campus.

Gier, a 2007 C of I graduate, will transition into a new role as the Director of Residence Life for the 2021-22 academic year.

"I was fortunate to be one of the founding members of the program in 2003," Gier said. "The program has grown from a club team to one of the premier lacrosse squads in the MCLA and will be a contender for a national championship. The team is solid and we have a talented group of incoming freshman – the Yotes will be an exciting team to watch for years to come."

The Boise native was a defenseman on the first four teams at the College from 2004-07 – winning a total of five games. He took over head coaching duties in 2010 and was honored that season as the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League Coach of the Year, leading the team to their first-ever postseason appearance. Gier would earn PNCLL Coach of the Year honors four other times – in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

"We have been very fortunate to have Matt leading our lacrosse program," said C of I Vice President of Athletics, Reagan Rossi. "He has positioned The College of Idaho Lacrosse program as one of the top teams in the MCLA. We appreciate all he has done for our student-athletes and know he will take that same dedication and passion into his new role at the College."

Gier posted winning records every season from 2013-20, claiming three-consecutive PNCLL South Division titles in from 2017-19 and winning the PNCLL Tournament title in 2018 and 2019. At one stretch, the Coyotes won 40-of-45 matches, climbing as high as No. 3 in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division II poll. The success coincided with the College elevating men's lacrosse to varsity status during the 2017-18 season.

"My most memorable moment was beating Montana for the first PNCLL title in 2018," Gier said. "Bringing that trophy back to Caldwell was such an important thing for our program and we have built on that success."

Gier, who finishes his C of I coaching career with a 69-40 all-time record, led the 2018 and 2019 squads to the MCLA Division II Championships – with the 2019 team earning wins against Northern Arizona and Grand Valley State to reach the national semifinals.

He coached eight MCLA All-Americans, while his team was honored twice by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association as the James "Ace" Adams District 11 sportsmanship award recipient.

"My favorite part of coaching is building relationships," Gier said. "Watching these student-athletes decide on a college, begin as freshman, grow, graduate and move on to be meaningful members of our community is fulfilling to me. As their coach, I get to support them through this journey and I'm going to miss being part of this process."

Gier has been a part of the Residence Life office at the College since 2007. With his new role and the expanded duties that accompany it, balancing coaching and the position wasn't possible.

"I love the College of Idaho and if I'm going to take a new position there is no place I'd rather be," Gier said. "The opportunity to be the Director of Residence Life at the College of Idaho is an honor."

A search for a new head coach will begin shortly, as the Coyotes return the bulk of their roster after a 2021 season that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.