One of the most decorated players in program history, Matt Danowski enters his 12th season on the Duke men’s lacrosse staff and continues to shape some of the nation’s most prolific offenses. Working primarily with the attack unit, he has mentored standout scorers such as Jordan Wolf, Justin Guterding, Dyson Williams, and Brennan O’Neill, who captured the 2023 Tewaaraton Award. In seven of the past ten complete seasons, Duke has ranked top-five nationally in scoring offense, highlighted by a 15.41 goals-per-game average in 2023. Danowski’s player-development track record includes ushering O’Neill into the 200-point club and guiding Williams through a 60-goal season, while consistently producing All-ACC and All-America honorees.
Before coaching, Danowski authored an all-time collegiate career. He remains Duke’s career leader in points (353) and assists (183) and ranks among the NCAA’s top career point and assist leaders. He was the 2007 consensus National Player of the Year as the Tewaaraton and Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award winner, a three-time first-team All-American, and a three-time ACC Player of the Year. Professionally, he was selected second overall in the 2008 MLL Draft, became a four-time MLL All-Star, and later competed in the Premier Lacrosse League. A two-time Duke graduate (B.A. 2007; M.A. 2009), Danowski blends high-level tactical teaching with a player-first approach that emphasizes skill refinement, decision-making, and chemistry—cornerstones of Duke’s sustained national prominence.
