Manders joined the Huskies' staff in 2019 and became the sixth person to lead the USM men's lacrosse program since its elevation to varsity status in 2001. Manders was the boys varsity head coach at North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth, Maine) prior to taking the USM job. In 2023 Manders coached Nick James to Honorable Mention All-LEC honors.
"I'd like to thank the search committee and USM for this opportunity, and I'm really excited about taking over the program," responded Manders when asked about being named the Huskies new head coach. "I believe there is a lot of potential in the state to grow this program, and I can't wait to get started."
A head coach with the 207Lacrosse club program since 2010, Manders also coached the Yarmouth (Maine) Middle School boys for one season in 2018, and at Deering High School (Portland, Maine) in 2009. Also a certified lacrosse official, Manders has officiated games at the high school and collegiate level.
I'm very excited to have Sam Manders join our staff as head coach for men's lacrosse," commented Bean. "Sam brings an outstanding background to USM lacrosse as a former player, coach and club director. He is considered one of the strongest leaders in the Maine lacrosse community and has outstanding connections with players at all levels. I feel confident that he will encourage outstanding student athletes in the sport of lacrosse to attend USM, and he has the ability to bring our program to the next level."
Manders played with the highly-regarded SUNY Cortland Red Dragons men's lacrosse team for three seasons (2004-2006) before receiving his bachelor's degree in conservation biology with a minor in environmental outdoor education in 2007. He graduated from Canton (N.Y.) High School in 2002, and attended Kimball Union Academy (Meriden, N.H.) for a year before heading to Cortland.
