In just the blink of an eye, Chris Klaiber has raised the standard for men’s lacrosse at Monmouth after taking the reins for the 2018 season. Klaiber enters his fourth season in 2021 after raising the win total in each of his first two campaigns. The team opened the 2020 season with four straight wins - a season-opening program record - before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season after just six contests.
After doubling their win total in Klaiber’s inaugural campaign, the 2019 squad continued the onslaught on the record book, setting the new program standard in no fewer than 20 team and individual categories including goals, points, caused turnovers and goals against. The team ranked in the top 20 nationally in caused turnovers per game and 29th in goals against average in 2019. With Klaiber at the helm, five Scots have earned all-conference distinction, including a team-high three honorees for the 2019 campaign. The Scots also ranked nationally in many defensive cvategories in 2020 before the premature end of the season.
The immediate success under Klaiber's guidance should come as no surprise. Klaiber began his head coaching career as a Fighting Scot after spending time as an assistant coach at Adams State University - an NCAA Division II school in Alamosa, Colo. Twelve Grizzlies were named all-conference at ASU during Klaiber’s stint, including the 2016 Freshman of the Year and the 2017 Goalie of the Year. Klaiber assisted the Grizzlies men’s lacrosse program in a wide variety of areas ranging from recruiting and game management to monitoring the student-athletes’ academic performance.
The former NCAA Division I student-athlete with extensive coaching experience, was a two-year starter at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg Md. Klaiber posted 26 career starts at goalkeeper and logged more than 1500 minutes in goal.
A native of New York State, Klaiber earned his undergraduate degree in History at St. Mary's and earned his Master’s degree in Human Performance and Physical Education at ASU.
Education:
Bachelors of the Arts: History, Mount Saint Mary's University, 2014
Masters: Human Performance and Physical Education, Adams State University, 2017
Coaching Career:
Monmouth College (2017-present, 1st season)
All-Conference
2019
Second Team: Shane Herkert
Honorable Mention: Nick Thomas
Sportsmanship: Ian Moles
2018
Honorable Mention: Chase Cranford
Sportsmanship: Nick Thomas
