Steve Wagner
Assistant Coach
First Season
Nazareth '01

Steve Wagner enters his first season in 2008-09 as assistant coach with the University of Connecticut women's lacrosse team. He assists in all the day-to-day coaching and administrative aspects of the program, with an emphasis on goalie training.

Wagner spent the last six seasons as a head coach with Division II Gannon where he earned an impressive 61-30 career record. The Lady Knights recorded a winning record every season under Wagner, averaging 10.2 victories per season. The squad was ranked nationally every year, including a No. 7 ranking in the final 2008 IWLCA Poll.

Wagner became one of the best coaches in NCAA Division II during his time at Gannon. His .670 winning percentage is the sixth-highest among active NCAA Division II coaches. His 61 victories equal the 10th-highest total among active coaches. Gannon players have been awarded All-America honors 15 times and all-region accolades 21 times during Wagner’s six seasons as head coach.

In 2008, Wagner led the Lady Knights to double digits in victories for the fourth consecutive season, finishing 11-4. The squad capped the season with a 13-11 come-from-behind victory against rival Mercyhurst after trailing 8-3 at halftime. It was Gannon’s fifth consecutive victory against the Lakers and improved Wagner’s record against Mercyhurst to 5-1.

Wagner came to Gannon after spending the 2002 season as the top assistant at St. Bonaventure in Olean, N.Y. Along with Atlantic-10 Head Coach of the Year Tony Zostant, Wagner helped guide the Bonnies to a 7-9 record in the program’s third season at the varsity level, including a 13-10 victory over Gannon on Oct. 5, 2002. St. Bonaventure’s seven victories set a school record for most victories in a season.

Prior to his stint at St. Bonaventure, Wagner spent the 2001 season at SUNY-Brockport. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Golden Eagles, who finished 19th nationally in goals allowed per match. SUNY-Brockport posted a 10-5 record and advanced to the SUNYAC semifinals before falling to Oswego, 8-7.

Wagner’s coaching experience also included stops at St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College of Rochester, and Brighton Central School District.

He graduated from Nazareth in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy.