Since the Detroit Mercy Lacrosse program’s inception in 2009, Chris Kolon could not be missed on the sidelines coaching up the red and blue. Kolon, who announced his retirement last spring, spent every waking moment with the program for 16 years, 10 of those as head coach.
The Titans will push on in the spring with a new man at the helm, but not someone who is unfamiliar with Titan Field. Charlie Hayes, a 2018 graduate of Detroit Mercy and former standout short stick midfielder, was named the school’s third head men’s lacrosse coach on June 11.
The Shelby Township native tallied nine goals to go with five assists in his senior season on 6 and Liv as well as being seventh in the nation with 2.13 caused turnovers a game. Hayes earned two all-team MAAC selections (the team has switched to NEC since) in addition to three postseason trips, including the school’s first two winning seasons.
Hayes’ lacrosse prowess did not end at the collegiate level either, as he started his career in the Major Lacrosse League in 2019 before moving to the Premier Lacrosse League in 2021 with the Whipsnakes. He is now in his third year with the Waterdogs after playing in 12 games last season and tallying five points on three goals and two assists, 17 ground balls and seven caused turnovers, helping the team reach the championship game.
That experience will prove crucial for recruitment and development.
“It doesn’t matter where you are from or where you played in college, if you work hard and put in the time you can be successful,” Hayes said. “That is what I will always pass down to my players.”
To a reader that might sound like typical coach speak, but athletes respond especially well to advice from professionals because their success and understanding cannot be undervalued, something that was echoed by athletic executives on campus.
Athletic director Robert Vowels Jr. spoke on the hire, stating in apress release from the department on the hire.
“There was a tremendous amount of national interest in our head coaching position, but coach Hayes’ passion for the University and the program was second to none,” Vowels Jr. said.
Vowels Jr. continued saying “He has been a Titan for a long time, and he has a great vision for the program. I am excited to see him lead us back to that championship-caliber team.”
Coaching at your alma mater is a coveted rare privilege in all sports, and that is something that is not lost on Hayes.
“It’s not that long ago that I was a player on this team myself and having the opportunity to impact the lives of these student-athletes going forward means a lot,” Hayes said.
While he may be new to being a Division I head coach, he is not foreign to what it takes to be a Titan and knows what heights he wants to take this program to.
“We’re going to focus on increasing our discipline, attention to detail, and how we go about our business day to day,” Hayes said. “We have and will always be built on a defensive minded culture, but we are going to work on implementing new ways to score the ball than we have in the past.”
