New Lacrosse Coach At Fairfield University Makes Move From Yale

FAIRFIELD, CT — A coaching veteran with nearly two decades of collegiate experience, Andrew Baxter has been named the head coach of Fairfield University men's lacrosse, according to an announcement posted online Wednesday by the college. Baxter had served as defensive coordinator at Yale University since 2013 and was elevated to associate head coach following the 2018 campaign.

"I am thrilled to welcome Andrew and his family to the Fairfield University community," Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann stated in the announcement. "Coach Baxter brings an exceptional track record of success building championship caliber programs and recruiting hard-working and dedicated student-athletes ... He emerged through the search process among a very talented pool of candidates as the right man at the right time for the Fairfield men's lacrosse program."

As recruiting coordinator, Baxter was integral in assembling the Yale squad that won the 2018 National Championship and returned to the title game this past spring in addition to claiming two Ivy League Regular Season Championships and four Ivy League Tournament Championships, the announcement stated. His defensive unit has led the Ivy in scoring defense in each of the last six seasons and ranked among the top 15 nationally in five of his seven campaigns in New Haven.

"I am honored to be chosen as the head coach of Fairfield men's lacrosse," Baxter stated in the announcement. "… I am committed to building a brand of lacrosse that our community of students, fans and alumni will be proud to follow and support."

Before his time at Yale, Baxter was the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Ohio State University, where he managed the fourth-ranked defense in the nation in 2012, according to the announcement. Baxter is also no stranger to Colonial Athletic Association lacrosse, having spent time as both the offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator at Drexel University in the mid-2000s. Baxter began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Colgate University for the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

As a student-athlete at Springfield College, Baxter made a pair of NCAA Division III postseason appearances, the announcement stated. He graduated from Springfield in 2001 with a degree in Movement and Sports Studies.

A native of Rochester, New York, Baxter graduated from Brighton High School. He and his wife, Marika – also a Springfield College graduate – have two children.