2010 was Jeff Shirk's fourth season at the helm of the VMI lacrosse program, as he took the reins of the team in August of 2006. The former University of Maryland midfielder has wasted little time in establishing VMI as an up-and-coming team in Division 1 lacrosse. In only his second season at VMI (2008), Coach Shirk led the Keydets to three firsts in program history: Qualifying for the conference tournament, winning a conference tournament game and advancing to the conference championship.
Shirk came to the Institute with an impressive background in lacrosse, both as a player and as a coach. He was a four-year staple at short-stick defensive midfield for the University of Maryland, and was named team captain as a senior. After college, Shirk played three years in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) before turning his focus solely to coaching.
“Lacrosse is a great sport for VMI, and I am very happy that Jeff Shirk will lead our program,” said VMI athletic director Donny White at the time of Shirk's hiring. “I am impressed with his background, both as a player and as a coach. I am confident that he will build and coach our team to be a contender for the MAAC championship.”
In July of 2001, Shirk began his first full-time coaching position when he was hired by Richie Meade as the head coach at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS). Over the course of three seasons at NAPS, Shirk amassed an impressive record of 22-11 and helped develop future Navy All-Americans Matt Russell, Steve Looney, Jon Birsner, Bill Looney, and Nick Mirabito. While there, Shirk also served as the Associate Director of Athletics and held the rank of LTJG in the United States Navy.
Shirk then returned to his alma mater, when he was hired by Dave Cottle in August of 2004 as an assistant coach at the University of Maryland. While coaching for the Terps, Shirk helped them win an ACC Championship and earn a berth in the 2005 Final Four.
In November of 2005, Shirk continued his quick move up the coaching ranks when Scott Nelson named him the defensive coordinator at Brown University. During his short time on College Hill, Shirk helped lay a foundation that has proven instrumental in aiding Brown’s success under now-Head Coach Lars Tiffany.
Shirk, a Mountain Lakes, NJ native, has high aspirations for the VMI Lacrosse program. “From the first day I stepped on Post, I have been excited about the future of VMI lacrosse. VMI has a niche that makes it unique, and in my opinion better, than any other school in the country. We have first-class, Division I athletic facilities, offer a top-notch education, provide an alumni network second-to-none, build resumes through leadership training in a military environment, and on top of all that, allow our students a choice upon graduation. Graduates can commission into one of the branches of the armed forces, or one could enter the workforce just as you would from a non-military school. It just doesn’t get any better than VMI for the student athletes who are serious about being successful on the lacrosse field, and equally serious about building the foundation needed for success in life.”
Coach Shirk resides in Lexington with his wife Elizabeth, two daughters Emily and Anna and their yellow lab Maggie. Shirk is also the founder and director of the Jeff Shirk Lacrosse Camps, which provide instructional camps for young lacrosse players throughout the year. More information on these camps can be found at www.shirklacrosse.com.
