Brendan Kavanagh returns for his second season in 2026 as the offensive coordinator for Iona University men's lacrosse, bringing elite playing experience and a dynamic offensive vision to a rapidly growing program. A Major League Lacrosse All-Star and former Division I standout, Kavanagh played a pivotal role in building Iona's offensive foundation during its inaugural 2025 campaign.
Guiding a roster made up entirely of true and redshirt freshmen, Kavanagh's offensive unit showed promising flashes in the Gaels' first season of competition. Iona earned its first two victories in program history, defeating Hampton and conference rival Quinnipiac. Under Kavanagh's direction, the Gaels placed two attackers - Jimmy Kennedy and Cullen Lawry - on the MAAC All-Rookie Team, with Lawry earning a pair of MAAC Rookie of the Week honors. Freshman attacker Jake Riglietti also captured a weekly conference award, further underscoring the impact of Iona's young offensive core.
Kavanagh joined the Gaels following a coaching stint at Marquette University during the 2019–20 season and a successful professional career in Major League Lacrosse. He was drafted in the 2018 MLL Supplemental Draft and quickly made his mark with the Denver Outlaws, earning MLL All-Star honors in 2019 after tallying 37 points across his first 13 games.
Before his professional career, Kavanagh was a standout at Hofstra University, recording 75 points in 51 career games. His junior season in 2017 was his most prolific, notching 29 goals and earning First Team All-CAA honors. He graduated in 2018 with a degree in business management.
A native of Rockville Centre, New York, Kavanagh has deep athletic roots. His father, Kevin, played hockey at Iona and graduated in 1979, while his mother, Mary, was a volleyball player at Molloy College. His siblings have competed in lacrosse at Notre Dame and hockey and soccer at the collegiate level, making athletics a cornerstone of the Kavanagh family.
