Sam Puzevic has been named head coach of the Albion men's lacrosse program. His first official day will be August 1.

Puzevic succeeds former head coach Jake DeCola who guided the program for the first 17 years of its existence winning five MIAA regular season championships and six MIAA Tournament titles.

A 2023 graduate of Albion, Puzevic played four years for DeCola from 2020-23 and was part of the 2022 MIAA Tournament title team. One of the most accomplished players and greatest scorers in team history, Puzevic became the program's sixth All-American when he notched honorable mention honors from both USILA and USA Lacrosse.

The three-time All-MIAA (two first-team) and two-time IMLCA second-team All-Region selection owns three of the top 10 single-season performances in goals and points in team history and ended his career with 211 goals and 278 points — both of which rank No. 2 in program history. He scored in all but two games during his Albion career.

"We are thrilled to have Sam Puzevic take over as the head men's lacrosse coach," director of athletics Jennifer Rushton said. "Sam was an elite student-athlete at Albion and fully understands what it takes to be successful both on and off the field while upholding the highest of standards within the program. I am excited to see Sam take over and put his own touches on the program. This is an exciting day for Albion men's lacrosse, and I look forward to supporting Sam for years to come."

Puzevic returns to Albion after a one-year stint at Trine where he served as offensive coordinator during the 2026 season. The Thunder tied their program record with 14 wins and made it to the MIAA Semifinals for the fourth time in program history, losing by one goal to nationally ranked Hope.

Trine produced a balanced scoring attack where nine players recorded double-digit goals and tied the program record for assists in a season with 123. Two offensive players notched second-team All-MIAA honors, including Vin Pantano who set a Thunder single-season record with 34 assists.

Puzevic and the rest of the Trine coaching staff had the honor of coaching the North team in the 2026 USILA Senior All-Star Game hosted at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. Two of Puzevic's former teammates at Albion, Cal Stearns and Logan Bride, played on the squad that he coached. Additionally, Puzevic served as an adjunct professor in the exercise science department at Trine.

Prior to Trine, Puzevic began his coaching career at Dubuque in 2025 where he also served as offensive coordinator. He mentored Sam Todd, who set the Spartans' single season assists record, and Giovanni Silva, who graduated as Dubuque's all-time leading scorer. The Spartans notched 11 wins (second most in program history) and made the NACC Semifinals in their first season in the conference.

Puzevic wrapped up his playing career at the University of Indianapolis in 2024 as a graduate transfer. He started in nine games and notched 12 goals, including three game-winners, five assists and 22 ground balls while earning Academic All-GLVC honors. The Greyhounds went 11-6 and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament.

A team captain as a senior at Albion in 2023, Puzevic became just the second 100-point scorer in team history and was a part of the program's greatest offensive season. That year, the Britons set team records in goals (365), assists (203) and points (568) and made it to the MIAA title game. He also won a conference regular season championship in 2021 in which he scored a career-high 72 goals that is fourth all-time in a single season in program history.

The five-time MIAA Offensive Player of the Week was part of a senior class that compiled a 46-14 record in their careers, and he was an MIAA Academic Honor Roll selection in 2023.

A native of Mattawan, Mich., outside Kalamazoo, Puzevic graduated with his bachelor's in exercise science from Albion in 2023 and his masters of exercise science from UIndy in 2024.

Since graduating from Mattawan High School in 2019, Puzevic has coached club lacrosse for the BJ Sports Bandits based in Portage, Mich., where he has served as both a head and assistant coach. Additionally, he has been a camp director for the Nike XCelerate Lacrosse Camp.

"I am incredibly honored and humbled to return to Albion as the head men's lacrosse coach," Puzevic said. "Returning to the place that helped shape me as both a student-athlete and a person is truly a full-circle moment. Albion has always held a special place in my heart, and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead a program that means so much to me. I would like to sincerely thank director of athletics Jennifer Rushton, the search committee and everyone involved in this process for their trust and confidence in me. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this outstanding program and am excited to begin building meaningful relationships with our student-athletes, alumni and the entire Albion community.

"I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Coach Jake DeCola. His leadership, dedication and impact on Albion men's lacrosse is truly legendary. As a player, I was fortunate to experience firsthand the culture of excellence he built, and I have tremendous respect for everything he has done for this program and the countless student-athletes he has mentored. My goal is to honor the tradition that has made Albion men's lacrosse so respected while leading the program into its next chapter. We will strive to build a culture rooted in accountability, genuine relationships and relentless daily improvement. I am excited to work alongside our student-athletes as we pursue championships while preparing them for success long after they leave Albion."
 
What They Are Saying
"Albion just hired one of the brightest, most-competitive young coaches the league will ever produce. Sam played in purple in the MIAA, and he understands what it takes to be the best in all areas on and off the field. As a team captain and USILA All-American for me, he is one of the fiercest competitors I have coached. Sam is grounded in his love of his family, his faith and his love for lacrosse and Albion. I cannot wait to see the program take off under his leadership." — Jake DeCola, former Albion head coach and current Michigan assistant coach

"I am so thrilled to see Sam take the next step in his coaching journey. His work ethic and coaching ability speak for itself, but more than anything he is an incredible person and someone who makes everyone around him better. His success as a player has followed him into to his coaching career, and I am excited to see him take over at Albion. His skillset and understanding of the College and the MIAA make him a natural fit to usher in the next era of Albion lacrosse." — Ryan Kuhn, Trine head coach

"Congrats to Sam on his new position as head lacrosse coach at Albion. He's a true Briton and will bring a coaching style built on loyalty and hard work with him back to his alma mater." — Kasey Burst, former Dubuque head coach and current Lawrence head coach

"Sam was an outstanding player, but what always stood out most was the way he led by example. He brought a tremendous work ethic, selflessness and competitive spirit every day, and he earned the respect of everyone around him. Those qualities made him a great teammate and will undoubtedly make him an outstanding head coach. Albion is getting someone who is committed to developing student athletes both on and off the field. I'm incredibly proud of Sam and excited to see the impact he'll have leading the Britons program." — Greg Stocks, UIndy head coach

"Sam thrives in a competitive atmosphere, and no challenge is too big for him whether on the field or in life. He consistently demonstrates exceptional character, honesty, passion and an unwavering dedication to succeeding in every task placed before him. Sam is a true leader who leads by example and serves as a role model for those around him. He is the type of person every player wants leading a team, because he inspires others through his work ethic, integrity and commitment to excellence." — Nick Kakabeeke, Director of BJ Sports Bandits