University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Joe Breschi Inks Contract Extension
April 2, 2026 | Men's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina men's lacrosse coach Joe Breschi, who has led the Tar Heels to 11 NCAA Tournaments, the 2016 national title and is the program's winningest coach, has agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension. Breschi's new contract will run through June 30, 2029; the terms were approved by UNC's Board of Trustees last week.
"Coach Breschi has been an outstanding mentor to our student-athletes, not only on the field but in the classroom and our community," Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said. "He continues to bring in outstanding talent, builds great camaraderie, gives back to the community and graduates outstanding leaders. We are excited to have him continue to lead our men's lacrosse program."
Added Executive Associate Athletic Director Steve Newmark: "What Coach Breschi has accomplished during his time at UNC is remarkable. He has utilized his experience as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach to recruit, mentor and graduate hundreds of Tar Heels who understand what it means to give their all on the field and give back to others. We are looking forward to the future of Carolina men's lacrosse under Coach Breschi."
Breschi, a four-time Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year and 2016 USILA Coach of the Year, is currently in his 18th season at the helm of the Tar Heels. His 11 NCAA Tournament appearances include two Final Fours: 2016, when the Tar Heels won the fifth national title in program history and became the first unseeded team to win the national title, and 2021, when Carolina was the top-ranked team in the country. A 1990 graduate of UNC, Breschi's 178 wins are the most in program history.
Under Breschi's leadership, Carolina has recorded 42 USILA First-, Second- or Third-Team All-America honors, and five ACC Players of the Year. In addition, three different Tar Heels have been named a Tewaaraton Award finalist: Billy Bitter (2009), Marcus Holman (2013) and Chris Gray (2021, 2022).
"It's an honor and privilege to coach this program at my alma mater. I am forever grateful to have the support of Chancellor Lee Roberts, Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham, Steve Newmark and the Board of Trustees, and I appreciate their confidence and support of Carolina men's lacrosse," Breschi said. "Our program goals have always been to recruit the best student-athletes nationally, compete for championships and be dedicated members of the UNC and Chapel Hill community, and I'm excited for the future of Tar Heel lacrosse."
In the classroom, Breschi's teams have earned multiple All-ACC Academic Team members in each season, including Gray's ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor in 2021. The Tar Heels have posted an Academic Progress Rate of 960 or higher in all 18 seasons, including four perfect multi-year 1000's. His teams have long been committed to serving the community, as well, collecting numerous Tar Heel Leaders of Distinction awards, Lowe's Senior Class Award finalists and six ACC Top Six for Service recognitions.
"Coach Breschi has been an outstanding mentor to our student-athletes, not only on the field but in the classroom and our community," Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said. "He continues to bring in outstanding talent, builds great camaraderie, gives back to the community and graduates outstanding leaders. We are excited to have him continue to lead our men's lacrosse program."
Added Executive Associate Athletic Director Steve Newmark: "What Coach Breschi has accomplished during his time at UNC is remarkable. He has utilized his experience as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach to recruit, mentor and graduate hundreds of Tar Heels who understand what it means to give their all on the field and give back to others. We are looking forward to the future of Carolina men's lacrosse under Coach Breschi."
Breschi, a four-time Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year and 2016 USILA Coach of the Year, is currently in his 18th season at the helm of the Tar Heels. His 11 NCAA Tournament appearances include two Final Fours: 2016, when the Tar Heels won the fifth national title in program history and became the first unseeded team to win the national title, and 2021, when Carolina was the top-ranked team in the country. A 1990 graduate of UNC, Breschi's 178 wins are the most in program history.
Under Breschi's leadership, Carolina has recorded 42 USILA First-, Second- or Third-Team All-America honors, and five ACC Players of the Year. In addition, three different Tar Heels have been named a Tewaaraton Award finalist: Billy Bitter (2009), Marcus Holman (2013) and Chris Gray (2021, 2022).
"It's an honor and privilege to coach this program at my alma mater. I am forever grateful to have the support of Chancellor Lee Roberts, Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham, Steve Newmark and the Board of Trustees, and I appreciate their confidence and support of Carolina men's lacrosse," Breschi said. "Our program goals have always been to recruit the best student-athletes nationally, compete for championships and be dedicated members of the UNC and Chapel Hill community, and I'm excited for the future of Tar Heel lacrosse."
In the classroom, Breschi's teams have earned multiple All-ACC Academic Team members in each season, including Gray's ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor in 2021. The Tar Heels have posted an Academic Progress Rate of 960 or higher in all 18 seasons, including four perfect multi-year 1000's. His teams have long been committed to serving the community, as well, collecting numerous Tar Heel Leaders of Distinction awards, Lowe's Senior Class Award finalists and six ACC Top Six for Service recognitions.
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