SMU Hires National Champion Jim Mitchell To Launch Lacrosse Program

SMU isn't interested in simply introducing college lacrosse to Texas. The Mustangs want to build a national championship contender, and they've hired someone who knows exactly what that takes.

Jim Mitchell, the architect of Princeton's record-breaking offense and 2026 national championship run, has been named the first head coach of SMU men's lacrosse, which will begin NCAA Division I competition in spring 2028.

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The historic addition makes SMU the first Division I men's lacrosse program in Texas and the sixth member of the Atlantic Coast Conference's men's lacrosse league.

And Mitchell isn't planning a slow introduction.

"We're going to compete like there's something to prove, because there is," Mitchell declared during his introductory news conference.

The hiring gives athletic director Damon Evans a proven offensive strategist with more than two decades of coaching experience.

Mitchell spent seven seasons coordinating Princeton's offense, helping the Tigers capture three Ivy League championships and the 2026 NCAA national title.

His final Princeton team produced a school-record 282 goals, averaging 14.84 per game while finishing third nationally in scoring offense.

The Tigers also recorded 18 consecutive games with at least 10 goals and featured four players who scored 30 or more times.

That's the kind of production SMU hopes to bring to Dallas.

But building a program from scratch involves considerably more than designing an explosive offense.

Mitchell must hire an entire coaching staff, recruit his first roster and establish a competitive identity before the Mustangs face some of college lacrosse's most accomplished programs.

The challenge doesn't appear to intimidate him.

"Every single player that comes here gets to write the first chapter," Mitchell said.

SMU's financial commitment suggests the university shares his ambition.

The athletic department has already secured approximately $20 million toward a $25 million fundraising goal, an impressive investment for a program that hasn't played its first game.

Evans believes Mitchell offers the leadership necessary to turn those resources into sustained success.

"We got our guy," Evans said.

The Mustangs will eventually compete against established ACC powers Duke, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Syracuse and Virginia.

All five programs reached the 2026 NCAA Tournament and have won national championships since 2009.

That makes SMU's entrance particularly significant. Adding a sixth conference member also opens the possibility of an automatic NCAA Tournament bid for the ACC, subject to approval.

Mitchell sees an even bigger opportunity.

With thousands of high school lacrosse players already competing across Texas, SMU could become a destination for talented athletes who previously had to leave the state to play Division I men's lacrosse.

There won't be many shortcuts between now and 2028.

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But after helping Princeton win its first national championship in 25 years, Mitchell clearly isn't arriving in Dallas to celebrate participation trophies.

The Mustangs are building something new. And they're building it to win.