Head Coach Jake Plunket

 

Jake Plunket, a native of upstate New York, is the current head coach of Muhlenberg College, located in Allentown, PA.  Plunket led the 2018 Mules to one of the most successful seasons in school history breaking record after record.  The Muhlenberg men's lacrosse team posted the greatest improvement in Division III during the 2018 season.  One of Muhlenberg's competitors for most improved, SUNY Canton, was also its opponent in the first round of the ECAC Tournament. The Mules won that game, 19-5, for their first postseason victory ever and their school-record 11th win of the season.

The Mules improved their record by 7.0 games from 2017 to 2018, edging out SUNY Poly for tops in the country.  In addition to wins, Muhlenberg also set school records for goals and assists in a season, topping the old marks by wide margins. The Mules' average of 11.39 goals per game was more than three goals higher than their 2017 average of 7.71 and broke a school record set in 1975. The team tied another mark by winning eight straight games to open the season.

Muhlenberg players broke school records for goals, assists and points in a season; ground balls in a season and career; and face-offs won in a game, season and career.

 

Plunket came to Muhlenberg after a standout playing and coaching career. As a player, Plunket was a four-year member of the Syracuse University men’s lacrosse team. During his time with the Orange, Plunket led his squad to two Division I national titles and was named team captain in 2005.  Plunket graduated from Syracuse with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Plunket went on to play professionally for the Rochester Rattlers from 2007-08, winning the MLL championship in 2008.

In 2005 he joined the coaching staff of Division III powerhouse SUNY Cortland, and worked primarily with the team’s defense.

During his three seasons at Cortland, Plunket played a major part in leading the Red Dragons to two conference tournament championships, three NCAA tournament appearances, and a 2006 national title. He also coached 16 All-Americans as well as numerous all-conference selections.

In 2008, Plunket became assistant coach at Hampden-Sydney College. During his two-year stint with the Tigers, he was actively involved in the recruitment of athletes, coordinated offensive strategies and assisted with the team’s defense and goalies. After finishing the 2009 season with an 8-9 record overall, Plunket helped to lead the Tigers to a program-best 13-win season in 2010.

 

Plunket then moved on and became the first varsity lacrosse head coach at Albright College in 2011. Plunket was responsible for building the program from the ground up. Albright lacrosse, previously a club sport, began competition in the spring of 2012.  Overall Plunket left Albright with a 57-17 record, a 0.770 winning percentage, multiple MAC Commonwealth Tournament appearances and two MAC Commonwealth Championship appearances.

In 2015 Albright went 13-4 and landed a fourth straight appearance in the MAC Commenwealth Tournament. Albright went 13-6 in 2014 and won the ECAC Mid-Atlantic championship for a second straight year. The Lions received votes in the national polls on multiple occasions, while playing #3 Stevenson and #12 Montclair State to within a goal.  Plunket was named the Commonwealth Conference Coach of the Year.

Plunket currently resides in Breinigsville, PA with his wife Jess, a former two-time IWLCA All-American lacrosse player, daughter Reagen & son Cooper.