Jay Mayes Named Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach
Glendale, Ariz.– Arizona Christian University has named Jay Mayes as its new Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach, bringing an accomplished collegiate coach and athletics administrator to lead the next era of Firestorm Lacrosse.
Mayes will also serve as ACU’s Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Experience, expanding his impact across Firestorm Athletics through coach support, student-athlete development, and oversight of several of the University’s growing intercollegiate programs.
“Jay Mayes is an exceptional addition to Arizona Christian University and the right leader for the future of Firestorm Lacrosse,” said Dr. Peter Dryer, ACU Director of Athletics. “His experience and pedigree within the sport immediately stand out, but what impressed us most was his commitment to building a program around faith, relationships, accountability, and competitive excellence. Jay understands how to recruit and develop talented student-athletes, establish a strong culture, and build a program that is missionally aligned. We believe he will elevate ACU Lacrosse and make a meaningful contribution throughout our entire athletic department.”
Mayes arrives at ACU with extensive collegiate coaching experience, including multiple seasons as the head men’s lacrosse coach at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. During his tenure, he led all areas of the program, including recruiting, player development, academic support, practice and game preparation, scheduling, travel, budgeting, and program operations. He guided Northwestern to three consecutive Midwest Lacrosse Conference playoff appearances while building a program centered on competitive growth and the development of the complete student-athlete.
Prior to returning to Northwestern as head coach, Mayes served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Arizona. In Tucson, he directed the Wildcats’ offense, contributed to recruiting and scouting, and helped develop an MCLA All-American. His return to Arizona also reconnects him with the rapidly expanding lacrosse community across the Southwest.
Mayes previously spent three seasons at Gordon College in Massachusetts as recruiting coordinator, offensive coordinator and director of partnerships. He coordinated recruiting classes each season while helping lead the program’s offensive system, opponent scouting, film analysis, academic support, practice planning, and summer camps.
His lacrosse foundation was established at Gettysburg College, one of the nation’s premier NCAA Division III programs. A four-year letter winner and team captain, Mayes helped Gettysburg finish as the NCAA Division III national runner-up in both 2001 and 2002. He was part of three Centennial Conference championship teams and earned All-Centennial Conference honors as a midfielder during his senior season in 2004.
“Arizona Christian University presents an incredible opportunity to build a nationally respected lacrosse program while developing young men in every area of their lives,” Mayes said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Firestorm family and lead a program grounded in faith, relationships, and excellence. ACU’s mission and its commitment to growth align closely with how I believe college athletics should be led. I am excited to invest in our student-athletes, recruit future Firestorm players, reconnect with the Arizona lacrosse community, and begin building toward an exciting future.”
Most recently, Mayes served as Athletic Director at Southwest Christian High School in Chaska, Minnesota, where he provided strategic leadership for a comprehensive, mission-driven athletic department. As a member of the school’s Leadership Cabinet, he oversaw staffing, coach development, budgeting, facilities, compliance, scheduling, event operations, fundraising, and long-term program development.
Mayes also brings significant experience from the professional sports industry. His career has included positions with the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, and Portland LumberJax of the National Lacrosse League. As co-founder and vice president of sales and marketing for BMORE Creative, he worked with professional sports teams, athletes, athletic departments, national brands, and nonprofit organizations to develop partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and operational strategies.
That combination of coaching, administration, recruiting, fundraising, and professional sports experience positions Mayes to lead the continued growth of ACU Men’s Lacrosse. The Firestorm compete nationally in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association and regionally in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference.
“As we looked toward the future of this program, we wanted a leader with the ability to strengthen every dimension of it,” Dryer added. “Jay has competed at a championship level, coached in several collegiate environments, recruited nationally, led a Christian athletic department, and built meaningful partnerships throughout his career. He brings both the experience to elevate the program now and the vision to help us build something special for years to come.”
In his additional role as Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Experience, Mayes will help strengthen the connection, support, and development provided to ACU student-athletes and coaches. His responsibilities will include supporting student-athlete development initiatives, assisting with the oversight of designated athletic programs, and advancing the University’s commitment to a transformational student-athlete experience.
Coach Mayes is married to his wife, Lindsey, and they have two daughters Moriyah (3) and Samara (8 months).
Stay Connected
- Student-athletes interested in competing for Firestorm Men’s Lacrosse can complete the recruiting form here: Recruit Form for Lacrosse
- Follow Firestorm Men’s Lacrosse on Instagram: acu_mlax
About Arizona Christian University
Arizona Christian University is an accredited, private, nonprofit Christian university in sunny Glendale, Arizona, offering a wide variety of degree programs that prepare students for successful careers while remaining committed to its vision of transforming culture with biblical truth. Students actively engage in biblically integrated academics and gain a liberal arts foundation with critical-thinking skills that last a lifetime.
ACU draws students from more than 40 states and 30 countries. The Firestorm compete athletically in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), with Men’s Lacrosse competing in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) and Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC). For more information about ACU and how to apply for admission, visit azcu.edu.
