Janine Tucker is the former Head Coach of Johns Hopkins Women’s Lacrosse and one of the most respected leaders in the history of the sport. Over 29 seasons, she became the all-time winningest women’s lacrosse coach at Johns Hopkins University. After taking over the program in August 1993, Janine successfully guided the Blue Jays’ transition from Division III to Division I, setting a new standard for excellence and leadership.
A five-time IWLCA Regional Coach of the Year, Janine’s impact on the women’s college game was further recognized in November 2021 when she received the IWLCA’s prestigious Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award. Named in honor of the legendary Loyola coach, the award celebrates lifetime achievement and honors those who have made a lasting contribution to women’s lacrosse.
Janine is a 1989 graduate of Loyola University Maryland and a member of the Greyhounds Athletic Hall of Fame. She is also a member of the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame and became just the ninth coach in NCAA Division I history to reach more than 300 career wins.
An accomplished author and educator, Janine has written six books focused on coaching, leadership, and player development. Her works include The Baffled Parents’ Guide to Coaching Girls’ Lacrosse and Women’s Lacrosse: An Advanced Guide for Players and Coaches, along with four books published through the USA Lacrosse Coaching Education Program: Go-To Drills: Developing the Complete Lacrosse Player and Building a Winning Lacrosse Team, Building the Modern Attacker, Building the Modern Midfielder, and Building the Modern Defender.
Beyond the field, Janine has been a driving force in shaping positive team cultures. She spearheaded the “Lacrosse and Life” journal project, designed to help coaches and players of all ages build healthy, values-based environments within their programs. She is also the director of Impact Lax Events, doing business as Tucker Lacrosse, LLC, which promotes women’s lacrosse nationwide through camps, clinics, and speaking engagements.
Janine is a featured speaker at USA Lacrosse National Conventions and serves on the Harlem Lacrosse–Baltimore Advisory Board as well as the National Board of Advisors for the Positive Coaching Alliance. She has also consulted with coaches and athletic department administrators on developing collegiate lacrosse programs, with a strong emphasis on leadership, culture, and long-term athlete growth.
Currently, Janine serves as Director of Special Projects in Alumni Relations at Johns Hopkins University. She is also working with ISNation, a revolutionary sports platform dedicated to positively impacting athletes, parents, and coaches through the sports they love.