Jon Thompson, who played and coached at Brown University, is in his second year as head coach of the Colby College men’s lacrosse program during the 2009-10 academic year.

Thompson, a 2003 graduate of Brown, helped Colby reach the NESCAC playoffs for the first time since 2002 during his first year. He also helped the Mules to their first winning record since 2004.

Thompson was the first assistant coach for the 2008 Ivy League champion Bears. He grew up in Freeport, Maine, and was a three-sport athlete in lacrosse, soccer, and ice hockey at North Yarmouth Academy. Thompson takes over as Colby’s head coach from Rob Quinn, who is the new athletic director at Berwick Academy.

Thompson and second-year Brown head coach Lars Tiffany helped the Bears to an 18-10 record during Thompson's two years as an assistant. The Bears went 11-3 in 2008, took a 6-5 win over Princeton University in the Ivy League title game, and finished 13th in the final NCAA Division I poll.

“Jon is a bright, intelligent, well-rounded, and energetic young coach with unlimited potential,” said Marcella Zalot, Colby’s Director of Athletics. “His knowledge, passion, and competitive spirit came through loud and clear during the search process. The future of our men’s lacrosse program is in great hands.”

Thompson was the offensive coordinator for Brown and helped the Bears lead the Ivy League in shooting percentage. Brown was first in the league in extra-man offense in 2007.

“One of the philosophies we had at Brown that I want to see us have at Colby is that we earn everything and expect nothing,” Thompson said. “I want to create a culture that things are earned, not given to you. It’s that type of mental attitude and focus that wins the one-goal games.”

Brown had its share of tight games in 2008 with a plus-six scoring margin over Ivy League opponents, but the Bears went 5-1 in the conference games.

Thompson was a two-year captain (2002, 2003) and three-time Offensive MVP (2001, 2002, 2003) of the Bears during his playing days. He finished his career with 94 goals and 43 assists for 137 points and was a two-time All-Ivy League and All-New England selection. Thompson earned honorable mention All-American honors from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) in 2003 and was a USILA Academic All-American.

Thompson was a volunteer assistant coach for Brown in 2004 before moving to Springfield College in 2005 as the Pride’s offensive coordinator. He came back to Brown in 2006 and was named the first assistant coach in 2007 when Tiffany took over as head coach.

Thompson appreciates the quality of play and the the academic importance of the NESCAC.

“Growing up in New England you can’t help but appreciate what the NESCAC is academically and athletically,” Thompson said. “They are the best men’s lacrosse conference in Division III, no question. They also are the best in combining academics and athletics. The level of coaching in the NESCAC is outstanding. I’m looking forward to earning my stripes and try to prove that I belong in this league.”

Thompson also is the assistant men’s soccer coach for Colby.

Assistant Coaches

Jonathan Michaeles will enter his fifth year as an assistant coach with the men's lacrosse team for the 2010 season.

Michaeles has been an assistant coach with the Colby football team for six years and is the recruiting coordinator for the team. Before coming to Colby, he spent five years as offensive coordinator and associate head coach for the St. Anselm College football team.

A Sturbridge, Mass., native, Michaeles is a 1992 graduate of Bates College, where he was a four-year football player. He then was an assistant high school football coach in Sturbridge, Mass., for a year before moving on to Allegheny College, where he coached wide receivers for three years on a team that had a 29-1 regular season record during that time. Michaeles later had stints as a wide receiver/tight end coach at Penn and wide receiver coach and recruiting coordinator at Fordham.