SWEET BRIAR, Va. - Sweet Briar College is pleased to announce the hiring of Taylor Lanzillo as the College's new head lacrosse coach.
Lanzillo joins the Vixens after serving as head men's lacrosse coach at Earlham College, where he quickly established himself as a program builder, exceptional recruiter, and dedicated mentor to his student-athletes.
During his three seasons at Earlham, Lanzillo guided the program through its most successful stretch in school history, earning Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference (HCLC) Coach of the Year honors in 2025. When he accepted the position, the program had just 11 student-athletes on its roster. Through a relentless commitment to recruiting and relationship-building, he increased the roster to 18 players in just one year while steadily improving the team's competitiveness.
His success extended well beyond the field. Under Lanzillo's leadership, the team maintained a cumulative 3.3 GPA while actively engaging in community service initiatives, including Night to Shine and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. His former athletic director praised him as an exemplary mentor who consistently prioritized the physical, mental, and personal well-being of his student-athletes while creating an environment where they could thrive academically, athletically, and personally.
On the field, Lanzillo coached three First Team All-HCLC selections and nine Second Team All-HCLC honorees. He also coached Robert Gift, who rewrote the Earlham record book by setting new career records for goals, assists, and total points. In just his second season, Earlham's defense ranked among the top 25 NCAA Division III programs nationally in goals allowed per game.
"Taylor quickly emerged as the right leader for our women's lacrosse program because of the authenticity, energy, and purpose he brings to coaching," said Director of Athletics
Donna Hodgert '89. "His success rebuilding a roster and developing competitive teams certainly impressed our committee, but what truly set him apart was his unwavering commitment to mentoring student-athletes and preparing them for success beyond graduation. At Sweet Briar Athletics, we aspire to lead with purpose, passion, and heart, and Taylor's philosophy aligns beautifully with that mission. He understands that championships are built through culture, relationships, and the daily investment in each student-athlete. I have every confidence that he will build a program our campus and alumnae will be proud to support for years to come."
Prior to Earlham, Lanzillo served as a graduate assistant coach at North Greenville University, where he assisted with recruiting, practice planning, player development, scouting, academic support, and team culture initiatives. A former student-athlete at North Greenville, he played short-stick defensive midfield and served as team captain during his senior season.
Lanzillo's passion for building programs began long before his collegiate coaching career. He helped establish the lacrosse program at Haddon Township High School in New Jersey, contributing to the growth of boys' and girls' varsity and junior varsity teams, as well as multiple youth programs. He also coached with the Greenville Riverhawks club program, where he focused on player development, practice planning, and helping athletes reach the collegiate level.
Lanzillo's coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that athletics provide some of life's greatest lessons. He strives to build meaningful relationships that create accountability, confidence, and a culture of excellence. His goal is to prepare student-athletes not only for success during their college careers but for meaningful lives after graduation.
"It's not a four-year plan—it's a 40-year plan. I want to help student-athletes develop the skills, confidence, and character they need to be successful long after they leave campus."
"I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to join the Sweet Briar community," said Lanzillo. "I believe deeply in the College's mission of developing confident and ethical leaders, and I'm looking forward to building a program that reflects those values. I can't wait to begin working with our student-athletes, recruiting future Vixens, and helping this program reach its full potential."
Lanzillo earned his bachelor's degree in sport management with an emphasis in coaching from North Greenville University in 2020 before completing his Master of Business Administration at North Greenville in 2021.
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