Joe Wilson enters his sixth season as the head coach of the men’s lacrosse program in 2025-26.
Under his leadership, the team has recorded several individual and team accomplishments. The program was named the NCAA Division II statistical champion in caused turnovers per game in 2022 and has produced 2 South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Defensive Players of the Week, 1 SAC Offensive Player of the Week, and 2 SAC All-Conference selections. Additionally, 2 players were recognized on the USILA Men's Lacrosse Team of the Week.
The team made its first SAC Tournament appearance under Wilson in 2023, the program's 3rd overall appearance, and has consistently emphasized academic achievement, with 2 student-athletes earning CSC Academic All-District At-Large honors and 9 making the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
Wilson arrived in Harrogate after serving as the lead assistant coach at fellow South Atlantic Conference member Newberry College for three seasons. Helping take the Wolves to new heights, Wilson was part of a staff that saw a six win improvement between his first and second seasons with the program.
During his three seasons in Newberry, the Wolves won 17 games, including a program record 10 during the 2019 season. The Wolves led the conference in several key categories, including face-off percentage (58.9), total ground balls (592), and ground balls per game (37), all of which ranked in the top 20 nationally. After that season, two players were selected to the all-conference team and Brady Kearnan was named SAC Freshman of the Year.
Prior to his time in Newberry, Wilson served as an assistant coach at Division I Mount St. Mary's University. He was responsible for the defense and scout team, as well as academic support, community service, and recruiting. The team finished the season in the top 50 nationally in several categories, including caused turnovers per game, saves per game, and man-down defense.
Before his time at The Mount, Wilson served as the head coach at NAIA St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, N.C. for three seasons. During his time there, the team posted a 28-18 record, including a 12-5 record during his final season in 2016. While there, Wilson was responsible for recruiting, budget, and scholarships, as well as game planning and scouting reports. He was also over strength and conditioning, equipment management, and study hall.
Prior to his time with the Knights, Wilson was an assistant coach at Division III King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The team posted a 10-4 record and advanced to the first round of the conference tournament, and he was responsible for practice plans and game film.
In 2012, Wilson briefly served as an assistant coach for Western Reserve Academy (H.S.), where he installed offensive sets and was responsible for overall team operations.
During the 2009-10 year, Wilson was an assistant coach at Division III Sewanee in Sewanee, TN. Wilson was responsible for recruiting, and also organized and enforced the team rules.
Wilson earned his Bachelor of Science in communications from the University of Tennessee in 2008 and added a Master of Science in College Athletic Administration from Coker University in 2017.
