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Division 1 Experience Staff

Brian Brecht

Head Men's Lacrosse Coach - Rutgers University

Founder - Division 1 Experience

Brian Brecht, who has over 20 seasons of collegiate coaching experience with 15 as a head coach, has spent the last eight seasons as the head coach at Rutgers. Brecht was named head coach of the Scarlet Knights on June 16, 2011.

While at Rutgers, Brecht has coached 12 All-Americans: Jules Heningburg (twice), Michael Rexrode (twice), Max Edelmann, Kieran Mullins, Kyle Pless, Christian Mazzone, Scott Bieda, Zack Sikora, Joe Nardella and Will Mangan. 16 of Brecht's players at Rutgers have joined Major League Lacrosse teams following graduation. 

In 2019, Brecht guided Rutgers to seven wins, including a victory at No. 4 Ohio State (14-6) that tied for the program's highest ever ranked road victory. With 37 wins over a four-year span, the Brecht-led senior class became the winningest class in program history. 

In 2018 under Brecht's leadership, the Scarlet Knights compiled a 9-6 season. That was highlighted by ranked wins over No. 17 Lehigh, No. 12 Syracuse, No. 17 Michigan and No. 11 Penn State. The team qualified for its second ever Big Ten Tournament appearance. RU had three All-Americans for the first time since 2003, as Jules Heningburg and Michael Rexrode were named to the Second Team and Christian Mazzone was an Honorable Mention selection. Rexrode was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, joining Heningburg as a First Team All-Big Ten selection, with Mazzone on the second team.

The 2017 season saw Rutgers complete a 10-4 campaign, recording double-digit wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. The Scarlet Knights were nationally ranked each week of the season, and rose at one point to No. 1 in the nation in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, the program's first-ever top ranking. RU earned victories over four ranked foes in No. 3 Ohio State, No. 14 Stony Brook, No. 15 Princeton and No. 19 Brown. Brecht mentored two All-Americans, as defenseman Michael Rexrode was named a Third Team All-American and attackman Jules Heningburg was an Honorable Mention All-American. 

In 2016, Brecht led Rutgers to one of the largest turnarounds in Division I lacrosse, improving the team's record to 11-5. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. The Scarlet Knights tied the program record for wins, defeating three ranked opponents (No. 9 Johns Hopkins, No. 10 Johns Hopkins, No. 17 Penn State). 

Jimmy Ryan

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