Nick Hourigan is set to begin his third season as a volunteer assistant coach on the Penn State men's lacrosse staff. He comes to Happy Valley after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant coach at Ithaca College.
During his time at Ithaca, Hourigan helped guide the Bombers to a 46-21 overall record and 22-8 mark in league play, which included one season in the Empire 8 and four seasons in the Liberty League. Highlighting those five seasons was a trip to the 2018 NCAA Division III Tournament. The Bombers went 16-4 that year and advanced to the NCAA Third Round with a win over Stevenson.
Hourigan helped coach 12 total USILA All-American honorees at Ithaca. Additionally, he mentored 11 IMLCA All-Region selections and 28 all-conference honorees.
Hourigan joined the Bombers’ men’s lacrosse program after a one-year stint as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Skidmore College He did extensive work in creating and implementing both practice and game plans, while he also coordinated film sessions and the Thoroughbreds’ strength and conditioning programs. His in-game responsibilities were mostly focused on defense, as he served as defensive coordinator, goalie coach and conducted the program’s faceoff strategy.
A graduate of Le Moyne College in May of 2015, Hourigan enjoyed a decorated collegiate career as a four-year member of the Dolphins’ men’s lacrosse team. He played an integra rolel on one of the stingiest defenses in NCAA Division II, as the Dolphins had the lowest goals-against average in the country in three of his four seasons, which included the lowest season average (4.39) in Division II history in 2012.
Over the course of his career, he helped lead the Dolphins to two Northeast-10 conference titles, while Le Moyne qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament during all four of his years with the program. The Dolphins advanced to the Division II National Championship Game twice, while they took home the National Title in 2013. Hourigan was named a team captain during his senior season, while he also earned InsideLacrosse Faceoff-Yearbook Preseason All-America honors. He made 58 career appearances, finishing his career with 110 ground balls and 44 caused turnovers.
Hourigan is a native of Clifton Park, N.Y., where he attended Shenendehowa High School. He was a three-year starter and two-time captain on the men’s lacrosse team, earning First-Team All-Suburban Council, as well as First-Team honors from both the Troy Record and the Saratogian news outlets during his senior season. Hourigan was also a two-time NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete.