ROCK ISLAND -- Jon Paul has been named the third head coach of the Augustana men's lacrosse program, Director of Athletics Mike Zapolski has announced. Paul has spent the last five years working in various coaching roles at St. Ambrose University, including the last two seasons as the Bees' Head Men's Lacrosse Coach.
 
"Jon's commitment to the holistic development of his student-athletes and previous small college head coaching experience are significant attributes that will serve him well at Augustana," said Zapolski. "I am confident that Jon will make an immediate impact on our program as a proactive mentor to our current student-athletes, and as a relentless recruiter which will help bolster our roster size and improve competitiveness."
 
Paul compiled a two-year head coaching record of 23-10 at St. Ambrose. He directed the Bees to consecutive appearances at the NAIA Invitational Tournament in both 2022 and 2023. St. Ambrose won the inaugural 2023 Heart of America Conference tournament championship, defeating William Penn by a final score of 14-8 in the title game to secure the program's third straight berth to the NAIA Invitational Tournament.
 
"Leaving behind familiar faces and a program I have helped build is bittersweet, but as a coach, it is my duty to seek new challenges and growth," said Paul. "I want to thank Mike Zapolski and Augustana College for this opportunity to serve as head men's lacrosse coach and giving me a place to grow and impact lives."
 
A native of Grayson, Georgia, Paul played collegiate lacrosse at Shorter University, an NCAA Division II school located in Rome, Georgia, graduating in 2017 with a degree in Field Biology and Ecology. While playing at Shorter, Paul launched his coaching career with the LaxFactory club program. After coaching at Grayson High School during the spring of 2018, Paul accepted a graduate assistant coaching position at St. Ambrose, serving in that role for three seasons before being named the Bees' Head Men's Lacrosse Coach in July 2021. Paul earned a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Ambrose in 2022.
 
During the 2022 season, St. Ambrose compiled an overall record of 14-3, won the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) regular season title and advanced to the championship game of the conference tournament. The Bees established a single-season school record with 14 victories.
 
Paul was tabbed the 2022 KCAC "Coach of the Year", three St. Ambrose players were recognized as NAIA All-Americans and the Bees captured both the "Offensive Player of the Year" and "Defensive Player of the Year" awards. In 2023, St. Ambrose rebounded from a 1-4 start to win six of their final seven regular season games and then won the Heart of America conference tournament championship.
 
"Change is the catalyst for growth," Paul said. "As I step into this new role at Augustana College, I am excited to create a culture of excellence, pushing boundaries and unlocking the true potential of my student-athletes. Together, we will strive for greatness both on and off the field."
 
Augustana is slated to return approximately 20 letterwinners from its 2023 squad. The team will launch its fall practice sessions in September.