Vinnie Lang
Coach Lang became the head coach of the Trine University Men’s Lacrosse program during the 2009-10 academic year. In four seasons as head coach, his Thunder teams compiled a record of 32-25. He slid to an assistant role with the hiring of head coach Karl Zimmerman.
Prior to Trine, Lang spent time at the University of Dayton, which proved to be the most successful to date. The 2006 Flyers went 9-3 before falling in the conference championship game and finishing the season ranked 7th nationally. In 2007, the team went undefeated during the regular season, capturing their first ever CCLA B division regular season and playoff championships which earned Lang conference Coach of the Year honors. The Flyers finished the season 13-1 and ranking 4th nationally, falling in the national semi-finals to eventual runners-up St. Johns (MN).
Lang began his coaching career at Mercyhurst College, where he was the program’s second ever head coach. Taking over midway through the 1988 season, Lang guided the Lakers to a 7-5 record in their final season of Division I lacrosse. The program moved to Division II in 1999 where the young Lakers continued to improve and in 2000 went 8-3 and was ranked as high as 7th in nation before ending the season ranked 10th overall. Lang was named head coach at Wittenberg University in 2001 and despite an 18-39 overall record, improved the quality of the program and under his guidance, the program had the most First Team All-NCAC performers and most selections overall in program history.
Lang played his collegiate lacrosse at The State University of New York at Oswego. A four-year starter at midfield, he garnered 2nd Team All-Empire Lacrosse League honors while being voted his team’s Most Valuable Player in his final season as a Laker. He continued his playing career at Purdue University, where he played club lacrosse and was a 4-time All-Big Ten Lacrosse Conference midfielder of the year.
Lang was a member of the German National Lacrosse Team from 1998-2001, first as a starting defenseman then as the Associate Head Coach. As a player Lang started every game for the National Team during his playing tenure. In the 1998 World Games in Baltimore, Lang led the team in ground balls and takeaways. His success continued in Manchester, England where he was named captain, and once again led the team in ground balls, takeaways and was voted All-European and the tournament’s Best Defender. Lang finished his German playing career in Glasgow, Scotland where he was again named a team captain, as the team finished second to England for the second straight year. In 2001, Lang moved into the coaching ranks as led the defense and helped lead the team to their first ever victory over England at the European Championship in Cardiff, Wales.
A graduate of Baldwinsville High School near Syracuse, N.Y. Lang lettered in soccer, hockey and lacrosse. Lang received a Bachelor’s Degree in Movement and Sport Science from Purdue University in 1993 and a Master’s Degree also from Purdue in Exercise Physiology. Lang spent time as a graduate assistant, working as an assistant strength coach for the Boilermakers.
Lang spent 12 years serving in the United States Marine Corps as a tank mechanic and reached the rank of Sergeant. He spent six months in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, fighting in the first Gulf War.
Lang resides in Angola and has two sons Nikko and Cole.