After serving as an assistant for the Bobcats’ program for four seasons (2015-18), Poli was elevated to Interim Head Coach for the 2019 season. He was then named Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach on May 10, 2019, becoming the Bobcats’ sixth head coach in program history and third at the Division I level.

In 2019 as Interim Head Coach, Poli led Quinnipiac men’s lacrosse to a 9-7 (5-2 MAAC) record and the program's third-ever appearance in the MAAC Tournament championship contest. Quinnipiac recorded a winning MAAC record for the fourth time in six seasons since joining the conference in 2013-14, earning a No. 2 seed in the postseason tournament.

Poli led all first-year Division I head coaches in total wins (9) and winning percentage (.562) in 2019.

The Bobcats earned five All-MAAC awards following the completion of the 2019 regular season. Sophomore Jake Tomsik and freshman Will Abbott earned spots on the All-MAAC First Team, senior Foster Cuomo was named to the All-MAAC Second Team, and the trio of Abbott, Nick DiMuccio and Demitri George were named to the All-Rookie Team.

Poli then wrapped up his second season as the Bobcats' Head Coach in 2020. Quinnipiac’s season was cut short after just six games due to the COVID-19 virus. The Bobcats did not play a MAAC contest in 2020.

Most recently, the Bobcats went 4-3 (4-2 MAAC) in 2021 under Poli to earn the title of MAAC Co-Regular Season Champions. Quinnipiac finished the spring campaign with a 4-2 league record, winning three straight home games at the QU Lacrosse Stadium in Hamden from April 7-17. QU defeated St. Bonaventure on the road on March 27, then downed Siena, Manhattan and Canisius in MAAC play in Hamden during the month of April.

Under the guidance of Poli, Quinnipiac finished the year ranked No. 12 nationally in scoring defense – allowing just 10.0 goals per game. QU also won 72.3 percent of all face-off attempts during the 2021 season, finishing No. 2 nationally.

Demitri George finished second nationally in face-off winning percentage (74.2%), earning MAAC Face-Off Specialist of the Year. Dylan Donnery also captured MAAC Rookie of the Year honors after leading the program in scoring with 13 goals and 15 points. Five Bobcats earned All-MAAC status in 2021 under Poli’s tutelage.