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Chris Diantgikis

 
Profile
Chris Diantgikis enters his fifth year on the men's lacrosse coaching staff in 2021-22, serving as Assistant Coach

The former national champion at Dowling College as a student-athlete has earned his second and third rings during his first two years on the coaching staff, adding an instant impact to the team's defensive unit that finished the 2018 season ranked in the top-five nationally and then concluded 2019 in the top-20. He has helped produce 10 All-Americans during his time at Merrimack, including a trio of first team selections from his defense/transition midfield units that he worked with directly in 2018. He also coached nine all-region first team honorees and four all-conference first team picks, including the program's first ever first team all-conference pick in 2021 when Sean Black earned the honor. He also helped the Warriors transition to Division I lacrosse and was on the sidelines when Merrimack claimed its first ever Division I win with a triumph over Michigan in February of 2020.

During Merrimack's first full season at the Division I level, he guided the Warrior face-off unit to a successful campaign. The team also compiled a 5-5 mark and a 4-4 conference record in its inaugural season in the NEC.

More importantly, Diantgikis helped coach the team to two of its greatest years in program history, as the Warriors dominated the 2018 campaign on the way to their first national title before orchestrating a remarkable postseason run to repeat as champions in 2019. On the defensive end in particular, Merrimack had arguably its best year in program history in 2018 by holding 16 of the 19 teams they played in double-digit scoring figures. Merrimack allowed just 21 goals in three NCAA Tournament games and yielded only six goals during the 2018 national championship run.

The Warriors had some growing pains during parts of the 2019 campaign after losing key members of the defense, transition midfield and face-off units from that remarkable team, but everything came together in May when the Warriors upset each of the top-four teams in the country as the No. 6 seed, posting three road wins to reach the title game and then doubling up Limestone, 16-8, to earn the trophy yet again.

Diantgikis was a 2013 graduate from Dowling College where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. He was also a four-year member of the Dowling men's lacrosse team, helping the team post a 42-13 record.