After 17 years at the helm of the Albion men's lacrosse program, Jake DeCola has decided to depart to become assistant coach at the University of Michigan.

DeCola is the only head coach in program history after being hired in 2009 to prepare the team for its first varsity season the next year.

Albion has consistently been a premier program in the MIAA and the region under DeCola, as he compiled an overall record of 171-115 (.598) — including a 71-10 (.877) mark in league play.

DeCola's teams won five MIAA regular season (2015-17, 2021, 2023) and six MIAA Tournament (2015-18, 2022, 2025) championships — the latter of which is the most of any team in conference history. The Britons also notched a 20-7 (.741) MIAA Tournament record and played in the finals each year from its inception in 2013 to 2025 while reaching six appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Many of DeCola's players were recognized for their successes both on and off the field. He guided 51 All-MIAA selections, including 33 first-teamers, 13 conference award winners, 10 IMLCA All-Region and six USILA All-American selections. Additionally, nine players were chosen as USILA Scholar All-Americans and 73 earned spots on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Three of DeCola's teams were awarded the USILA Academic Team Award as well.

DeCola also coached two Albion Athletics Hall of Famers (Alexander Dziewit and Tim Urso), as well as the 2015 team that will be inducted this fall — the program's first representation in the school's Hall of Fame.

"I would like to personally thank Jake for his dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment over the past 17 years," Albion director of athletics Jennifer Rushton said. "Under his guidance, the program achieved sustained success and established a strong foundation for the future. More importantly, Jake has made a lasting impact on countless student-athletes, helping them grow both on and off the field. His influence, mentorship and passion for the game have left an enduring legacy that will be felt for years to come. We are grateful for all that Jake has done for our program and wish him nothing but success in his next chapter."

In 2022, DeCola and his staff were selected as the IMLCA Region 5 Coaching Staff of the Year following a season in which the Britons went 15-4 and won their fifth MIAA Tournament title. That year, Jace Conley scored 91 goals — setting the program's single-season record and tying for the most scores in all of Division III.

Four of DeCola's players have played in the USILA Senior All-Star Game showcasing the top senior talent in Division III. In 2025, DeCola and his staff were selected to coach the South squad in the annual contest.

The 2015 season marked the program's first MIAA regular season and tournament championships as they ranked top 25 in Division III in scoring offense, ground balls, face-off win percentage and scoring margin. The Britons reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling by one goal to nationally ranked Ohio Wesleyan.

That year, the team was awarded the District 6 James "Ace" Adams Sportsmanship Award presented to 11 different programs whose coaches, players and fans exhibit the best sportsmanship throughout the season. Recipients are selected by collegiate lacrosse game officials.

Founding the program with just 16 players, DeCola's Britons began varsity play in the Midwest Lacrosse Conference before the MIAA adopted the sport in 2013. Their first-ever game was played on February 13, 2010, inside the Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac, Mich., against Carthage.

Throughout his tenure, two of DeCola's assistant coaches have gone onto become head coaches (Brett Wetzel at Adrian and TJ Thomas at Dubuque). Additionally, Andy Herriott later became an assistant at Division I Colgate.

DeCola's legacy will also be remembered for the connection he forged with Harper Mathis, a teenager who courageously fought brain cancer until her passing in 2025. DeCola and the team were paired up with her while working with the Vs. Cancer Foundation in 2021 and immediately gravitated towards Harper's positivity and radiance. This past March against Southwestern, DeCola organized the first annual Harper Strong Classic game in remembrance of her life.

Prior to arriving in Albion, DeCola spent six seasons as the top assistant coach/defensive coordinator at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., where his defensive players received All-ODAC recognition seven times.

The Beverly, Mass., native spent close to a decade coaching high school and club teams after he graduated from UMass-Dartmouth in 1995 following a four-year career as a goalie for the Corsairs.

"First, I want to thank Albion College for bringing me here 17 years ago to start the varsity lacrosse program," DeCola said. "I also want to thank my wife, Angie, for her tremendous support of our program over the years, and my daughters Camille and Gianna, who have literally grown up with this program. The three of them embraced our teams year after year, and their support and involvement has meant the world to me and to the players.

"For almost two decades, I've given this program, the players and the college my all, creating a championship culture built on hard work, dedication, love and community. I look forward to watching that culture endure, thrive and grow for decades to come.

"I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to do this rewarding work at Albion, and, as excited as I am for what lies ahead for me, it is incredibly difficult to walk away from Albion. The people I've come to know and love here, the deep and lasting relationships with assistant coaches, athletic trainers, current and former players and their families, will always be important to me and can never be replaced.

"I'm so proud of all we've accomplished, and I am so grateful for all the work from our men over the years. I'm thankful for their love of Albion, the work they put into our program, their commitment to their brothers and their belief in me.

"Coaching lacrosse at Albion has literally defined me for one third of my life, and I will carry that with me forever. I am extremely proud of the Albion lacrosse program, and I'm excited for its future."