Maryland Brings Ryan Moran Home as Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Coordinator

The Maryland men’s lacrosse program is bringing a familiar face back to College Park.

Maryland head coach John Tillman announced Tuesday that former Terrapin player and assistant coach Ryan Moran has been hired as the program’s offensive coordinator. Moran returns to Maryland after previously serving on the Terrapins’ coaching staff from 2008 through 2014.

The move gives Maryland an experienced coach with deep ties to the program and extensive knowledge of the college lacrosse landscape.

“We are excited to have Ryan back in College Park, where he had a successful playing and coaching career,” Tillman said in Maryland’s announcement. “He brings a wealth of experience with him that will be a great benefit to our players, not only on the field but off.”

Moran said returning to his alma mater carries special meaning.

“I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to come back and coach at the University of Maryland,” Moran said. “This university has had such a profound impact on my life, and I look forward to positively impacting the student-athletes I have the privilege of working with.”

A Familiar Face in College Park

Moran is no stranger to Maryland lacrosse.

He played for the Terrapins from 2000 through 2003 and developed into one of the program’s top players during his senior season.

Moran finished his Maryland playing career with 39 goals, 11 assists and 50 points in 58 games. His breakout season came in 2003, when he scored 24 goals and added seven assists for 31 points.

That season Moran earned first-team All-ACC honors, was named a USILA third-team All-American and served as a team captain. Maryland finished 12-4 and advanced to the NCAA Final Four.

Moran was also presented with Maryland’s William Cole Award following his senior season.

After graduating from Maryland in 2003, Moran began a professional lacrosse career in Major League Lacrosse. The Baltimore Bayhawks selected him in the third round of the 2003 MLL College Draft with the 18th overall selection.

He later played for the Philadelphia Barrage and Long Island Lizards and was part of Philadelphia’s MLL championship team.

Moran’s First Maryland Coaching Run

Moran eventually returned to College Park in September 2008 as an assistant coach.

His first coaching tenure at Maryland became a successful six-year stretch for the Terrapins.

Maryland reached the NCAA Tournament in each of Moran’s six seasons on staff and advanced to Championship Weekend three times.

The Terps reached the national championship game in both 2011 and 2012 and also advanced to the Final Four in 2013. Maryland won the ACC championship in 2011.

Moran was elevated to associate head coach during his final two seasons with the program.

He worked extensively with Maryland’s offense and faceoff specialists and helped develop several All-American players. Seven Maryland players combined to earn 15 USILA All-America honors during Moran’s tenure.

Moran also built a strong reputation as a recruiter during his first stint with Maryland.

His previous success working alongside Tillman should allow Moran to make a relatively seamless transition back into the program.

Stops at Navy and Loyola

Before his first Maryland coaching stint, Moran began his coaching career at the Naval Academy Preparatory School.

He later joined the Navy men’s lacrosse staff from 2006 through 2008.

During Moran’s time in Annapolis, Navy won two Patriot League championships and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. He served as Navy’s offensive coordinator during his final season while also helping oversee a faceoff unit that consistently ranked among the strongest in college lacrosse.

After leaving Maryland following the 2014 season, Moran joined Loyola University Maryland.

He spent two seasons with the Greyhounds and helped Loyola reach the NCAA Final Four in 2016.

That appearance meant Moran had been part of four Final Four teams over a six-year span between Maryland’s trips in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and Loyola’s run in 2016.

Successful Run at UMBC

Moran became the head coach at UMBC in 2016 and spent nearly a decade leading the Retrievers.

Under Moran, UMBC won America East championships in 2019, 2021 and 2025.

He was named America East Coach of the Year twice, earning the honor in 2021 and again in 2025.

His tenure at UMBC ended in April 2026 after the university terminated his contract. UMBC said Moran had been placed on administrative leave in October 2025 following allegations raised by a student-athlete and a subsequent investigation by the university’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights.

UMBC Athletic Director Tiffany D. Tucker said at the time that the decision followed a review of the investigation and Moran’s contract, and the school moved forward with a leadership change.

Maryland’s hiring now gives Moran an opportunity to return to the program where much of his playing and coaching career was built.

A Major Addition for Maryland’s Offense

The Terps are adding a coach who already understands Tillman’s system, Maryland’s expectations and the pressure that comes with competing for national championships in College Park.

That familiarity could be especially valuable as Maryland prepares for the 2027 season.

Moran has coached virtually every level of Division I lacrosse, including stops at Navy, Maryland, Loyola and UMBC. He has worked as an assistant, offensive coordinator, associate head coach and head coach.

He also has extensive experience developing offensive players and faceoff specialists.

Maryland has built one of the nation’s most consistent lacrosse programs under Tillman, and bringing Moran back gives the Terps another veteran voice with championship experience.

“Be the Best is Maryland Lacrosse,” Moran said. “I will strive to be my best while motivating and challenging the players in this program every day to be their best.”

Lacrosse Runs in the Moran Family

Moran also comes from one of lacrosse’s most accomplished coaching families.

His father, Jack Moran, coached at Chaminade High School on Long Island for 43 years and accumulated more than 600 victories.

Ryan Moran’s great-uncle, Richie Moran, is a member of both the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Richie Moran played at Maryland from 1958 through 1960 before becoming the legendary head coach at Cornell, where he led the Big Red to three national championships.

Ryan Moran will now add another chapter to that family history by returning to Maryland.

Back Where It Started

For Maryland, the hiring brings together familiarity and experience.

Moran was an All-American as a player in College Park, helped Maryland reach multiple Final Fours as an assistant and went on to become a championship-winning head coach at UMBC.

Now he returns as the offensive coordinator tasked with helping Tillman keep Maryland among the nation’s elite programs.

Moran’s career has taken him throughout the Maryland lacrosse landscape, but his newest opportunity brings him back to where much of it began.

Ryan Moran is once again a Maryland Terrapin.