In 2026, Patrick Cooney begins his 23nd season as head men's lacrosse coach at Salve Regina University. Coach Cooney’s 195 career head coach wins ranks him inside the top 20 in the country on the NCAA Division III winningest active coaches list. The 2017 season saw Coach Cooney’s team win his 100th head coach’s win at Salve Regina University. Cooney is the fifth head coach in Salve's 28-year-old program.
Cooney came to Newport with a history of helping younger collegiate lacrosse programs build strong foundations through recruitment, retention, and reinvestment initiatives. Salve's men’s lacrosse team has over a 95% graduation rate over the last 20 years. By academically and athletically retaining student-athletes, the team has grown in spirit, experience, and skill. Salve men's lacrosse student-athletes have earned institutional, conference, regional, and national honors & awards. With the continued success of the program, the roster has grown to 55 outstanding student-athletes. “We have team values and team goals. Our values of Love, Family, and Hard Work define our team culture and set the stage for getting after our goals," Cooney said. “It’s an exciting time in Newport. The University, Salve Athletics, and men’s lacrosse are all just hitting their stride.”
Cooney gained notice in 1996 when he became the youngest head coach (23 years old) in the country, taking over the program at his alma mater, Roger Williams University. In 2000, he went to Elmira College, serving as assistant coach and admissions counselor. At Elmira, Cooney helped a talented Soaring Eagles team win a share of the Empire 8 Conference title. He then joined the coaching staff at Bryant College from 2001-03, serving as assistant coach and compliance coordinator for the Bulldogs. Cooney helped both colleges achieve their highest-ever national ranking in their respective divisions.
Coach Cooney has worn many hats in athletic administration, including enrollment management, compliance, development, PE professor, contest management, and student employment. Cooney currently serves as the NEWMAC representative on the USILA DIII Poll committee and has served multiple time on the USILA DIII All-American selection committee. A native of Garden City South, New York, Cooney is a graduate of Chaminade High School ‘89 and Roger Williams University ‘94. Cooney, and his wife Tabitha, reside in Portsmouth, RI with their four children - Liam, Nora, Mairin, and Grace.
