Chris Robinson, architect of the nation’s most successful high school program over the last decade, is no longer the girls’ lacrosse coach at the McDonogh (Md.) School.
The news was first reported by IL Women, and on Wednesday, the Baltimore Sun confirmed the report by obtaining a copy of a letter sent to girls’ lacrosse families by the school that said he was no longer teaching and coaching at McDonogh.
On Thursday morning, Robinson issued a statement through the Facebook page of his M&D Lacrosse Club:
“Yesterday, I resigned from my position from McDonogh School as head coach of the girls’ lacrosse program and as a middle school teacher. During my 13-year lacrosse coaching stint at the school we took the program from a basement dweller to the best lacrosse program in the country for the last decade. By the huge media crush and the outpouring of texts, phone calls, and emails I am sure many are looking for an answer.
“I resigned my position at the school to move forward in my career. It was not an easy decision, but one that I felt was in the best interest of me and my family. The timing may not seem perfect, but many times when opportunity comes knocking it is not the ideal time. Building the National Girls Lacrosse League and Robinson Sports to a national level is a major goal for Robinson Sports and I am exciting for this opportunity to use my experience in new ways.
“I have been made aware of the rumors that have circulated because of my departure by some of my friends and colleagues. Some of them are appalling to hear but I guess in today’s society people automatically assume the worst. I assure you all, there isn’t any merit to these horrific claims. So in this time of change for my family, I would ask that you be respectful of my decisions to move on in my career.
"I would like to thank the hundreds of people who have reached out to me and my family with sincere well wishes. All of your support has been unbelievable.”
McDonogh finished the 2017 season with a perfect 22-0 record, extending its winning streak to a national record of 177 consecutive games. The Eagles have finished No. 1 for eight consecutive years in the Nike/US Lacrosse National Girls Top 25.
Prior to coming to McDonogh, Robinson was the head coach at Mt. Hebron (Md.) High School where he compiled a record of 106-9-1, winning five state championships and twice had teams ranked No. 1 in the country.
Nicole Alecce, a freshman on the James Madison women’s lacrosse team who interned for US Lacrosse at the end of her senior year at McDonogh, wrote about her experience of playing for the school and Robinson on the US Lacrosse Magazine website last year.