Oberlin, Ohio – Oberlin College Delta Lodge Director of Athletics
Joe Karlgaard has appointed
Topher Grossman as the school’s new head coach for men’s lacrosse.
Grossman comes to Oberlin after a successful three-year stint as an assistant coach at Connecticut College. While with the Camels, Grossman spent the 2008 season as the team’s defensive coordinator before transitioning to offensive coordinator the past two seasons. In addition to being the lead assistant, he also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator for all three seasons.
In 2008 his defensive unit that featured All-American goalie Mark Morgan was tops in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). This past spring, which saw the Camels ranked as high as sixth in the nation, Grossman helped the team win the NESCAC regular season title en route to claiming a 13-0 record - including a win over the eventual national champion Tuffs.
Conn College finished 14-3 and 8-1 in the NESCAC in 2010 due in large part to Grossman’s efforts in guiding the league’s second-best offense that averaged 10.7 goals per game. He mentored attackman Steve Dachill to All-American honors and midfielder Eric Doran to All-NESCAC accolades.
“Topher Grossman is a winner,” Karlgaard said. “He has played a significant role in the rise of Connecticut College's program, and he will use that experience to build a program here at Oberlin College. We are pleased to welcome Topher into the Oberlin Athletics family, and we are excited for him to begin the task of creating a special program in lacrosse."
Prior to returning to his alma mater, Grossman worked one season as an assistant coach at Adrian College (Michigan). He got his start in coaching at Trinity Pawling High School in New York in 2005.
“I am extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Grossman said. “I would like to thank Joe Karlgaard, President Krislov and everyone involved in the hiring process for this wonderful opportunity. During my visit to the campus everyone was very supportive and welcoming and it was clear to me that the administration was behind the program. Oberlin lacrosse has a long storied tradition and I look forward to helping restore that tradition by taking this team to the next level. I can’t wait to get started.”
Grossman is a 2005 graduate of Connecticut College where he earned a degree in biology. During his time on the playing field, he became one of the most prolific goaltenders in program history, earning numerous honors and accolades for his proficiency between the pipes. In his senior season Grossman was honored as a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-American and as a First-Team All-NESCAC honoree, averaging 13.4 saves per game in the cage.
He will begin his work at Oberlin immediately.
