"For the first time in 22 years, the Bobcats have a new head coach of men's lacrosse, and I couldn't be more thrilled to announce that Dan Annino will join us this summer in that role," Fein said. "Dan brings the knowledge, the passion, and the respect for the game and the young men that endeavor to compete at the highest level of athletics and academics. His knowledge of the game, his vision around team culture and respect, as well as his extensive research and planning specifically around how he plans to lead the Bates program impressed everyone that he met with during the process and I'm thrilled that he accepted our invitation to join the Bates community."

"I'm so thankful to Director of Athletics Jason Fein, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Celine Cunningham, and the entire search committee for the opportunity," Annino said. "I'm honored to be able to serve this program and their passionate alumni, and I'm excited to start working with the young men on this team."

Annino joined head coach Peter Milliman's staff at Johns Hopkins University in June of 2020. He came to the Blue Jays after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Amherst College. In Annino's role at Johns Hopkins, he worked closely with the Blue Jay defense.

During his first season, Annino helped Johns Hopkins to its third consecutive appearance in the Big Ten Championship game, where the Blue Jays narrowly fell to top-ranked Maryland. Annino was instrumental in the growth of an entirely remade defensive unit that spearheaded JHU's run to the Big Ten title game. The group was at its best during the team's three games against third-seeded Penn State, second-seeded Rutgers and top-seeded Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament. In six combined games against those teams during the regular season, the Blue Jays allowed an average of 13.5 goals per game; during the three-game run in the tournament, Hopkins cut that number down to 9.7 (29 goals in three games).

"Coaching at such a storied program in Johns Hopkins was a special experience," Annino said. "Working closely with Head Coach Peter Milliman and Defensive Coordinator Jamison Koesterer was a deep dive into the highest level of tactics, strategy and program building. Competing against the best teams and players in the country was a tremendous opportunity to refine my abilities as a coach and leader."