AMHERST, N.Y. - Daemen College Director of Athletics
Bridget Niland announced today the hiring of
Paul Lagno as the Wildcats' next head coach for both the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. Lagno will join Daemen Athletics in a full-time capacity officially on July 15 and will hold the additional administrative role of Recruiting Coordinator.
"I would like to thank
Bridget Niland for presenting me with this amazing opportunity to join the Daemen family," Lagno said. "I couldn't be happier to be back in my home state doing what I love. I look forward to joining an already talented athletics staff, and can't wait to get to work building our programs."
Lagno comes to Daemen from Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Fla. where he has served as the Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach and Assistant Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach since January of this year. In his short time there, Lagno coached athletes to seven new school records on the track, and helped two distance runners qualify for the 2015 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor Track and Field National Championships.
Prior to his appointment at Northwood, Lagno cut his teeth at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla., working as the Operations Assistant for the Seminoles' men's cross country and track and field programs from December 2012 through December 2014. While there, Lagno was primarily responsible for assisting the Program Director, Bob Braman, with the day-to-day operations of the NCAA Division I cross country and track and field programs.
"
Paul Lagno brings a great mix of experience as a high-level mid-distance and distance runner himself, as well as his varied work experiences from both Northwood and Florida State," said Niland. "We are excited to have him join our team and for him to put his own stamp on our already talented cross country and track programs. Paul's experiences give him a perspective from which he can build successful NCAA Division II programs here at Daemen."
As an undergraduate at the State University of New York at Albany, Lagno set six school records as a member of the track and field team. He would graduate Cum Laude in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, and was a 2011 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic honoree. Lagno then went on to compete as a graduate student at Florida State for the Seminoles' cross country team, helping that squad to a fifth-place finish at the 2012 NCAA Division I National Championships. He earned a Masters of Science Degree in Sports Management from Florida State in 2013.
Lagno takes the reins of the Daemen programs from
Jessica Gorski and Seth Yernye. Gorski, who has served as the Wildcats' Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach since 2012, and had previously served as the Head Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach from 2012-14, will fully slide to a completely administrative role within the Athletic Department. In addition to her past coaching duties, Gorski has been an athletic administrator at the College since 2012, and will continue in her role as Associate Athletic Director for Internal Relations/Senior Woman Administrator. Yernye was the Interim Head Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach for the 2014-15 season. Lagno's appointment brings Daemen back to a common staffing model with one head coach for the cross country and track and field programs, similar to Gorski's dual-coaching tenure from 2012-14.
A native of Millbrook, N.Y., Lagno will retain the services of assistant track and field coaches
Erin Johnson and
Maggie Needham. Johnson has worked with the Wildcats' pole vault athletes for the last several seasons, helping senior-to-be
Robert Ralyea (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) achieve three indoor conference championships, and one outdoor conference championship in the event. Needham recently completed her first season working primarily with the Wildcats' throwers.
In his administrative role, Lagno will provide oversight of recruiting activities for each of Daemen's 16 intercollegiate athletic programs, in collaboration with Dr.
Theresa Joyce, Director of Compliance.
For updates and breaking news throughout the year, follow the Daemen cross country (
@DaemenXC) and track and field (
@DaemenTRACK) on Twitter.
What People Are Saying About Paul Lagno..."This is a great new era for Daemen College.
Paul Lagno developed from a walk-on at Albany to running a school record 4:01 mile and contributing positively to numerous conference championship teams. This is a tribute to his work ethic and dedication. He is a winner and along with the coaching experience he has gained at national powerhouse Florida State, he is ready for this new challenge."
Roberto J. Vives
Director of Men's and Women's Track & Field/Cross Country - University at Albany"This is a win-win for
Paul Lagno and Daemen College. Paul is a promising young professional. He is an outstanding track athlete and a highly motivated coach. His enthusiasm is contagious and his dedication to the sport will be an asset, not only to the track and field and cross country programs, but to the Daemen College community as well."
Matthew R. Jones
Head Cross Country Coach/Assistant Track & Field Coach - University at Albany"Daemen College is in for a great run with Paul; he loves track and cross country. Paul's passion for the sport and his athletes is second to none. I have watched many athletes cross the divide between athlete and coach, but none better than Paul. In the time we shared a common goal at Florida State, Paul spoke so highly of the people in that area of the country that I always knew he would find his way back to bring a program such as Daemen to the top of the ranks."
Ken Harnden
Associate Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach - University of Georgia"Paul will do an amazing job at Daemen. I know he's happy to be back in his home state and working with home-grown kids. I'm happy for Paul to have this wonderful opportunity."
Bob Braman
Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach - Florida State University
