Andrew Smistad hired as Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Coordinator

MILWAUKEE – Head coach Jake Richard has announced the addition of Andrew Smistad as offensive coordinator/assistant coach with the Marquette University men’s lacrosse program.

“I know Coach Smistad will inspire our team to be the best version of themselves off the field while pushing them to new heights on the field,” Richard said. “Surrounding our athletes with men worth emulating is paramount to our mission. Throughout the interview process Coach Smistad showcased a specific vision for our offense. He’s excited to introduce new ideas while creating continuity and building off the momentum from last year.”

Smistad was a member of the MU program for three years and served as team captain during the first two seasons of intercollegiate competition (2013-14). He played in nine games during the 2013 campaign for the Golden Eagles as a defensive midfielder and suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason of his final season.

“I am unbelievably humbled and honored to have the opportunity to come back to Marquette and rejoin a program that means so much to me,” Smistad said. “I’m extremely grateful to Coach Richard for trusting in me to help continue building on the momentum and success he’s achieved in such a short time. Jake is an unbelievable coach and leader, an even better man, and I look forward to joining him and the rest of the staff. I can’t wait to start working with the guys on the team and developing a relationship with each and every one of them.”

Smistad has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. He helped the Bobcats to a 9-7 record in 2025, while working primarily with the Bates offense.

He began his collegiate coaching journey after serving as head coach of the Calgary Shamrocks, a Canadian Junior box lacrosse team in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League’s Junior B Tier I league. Joining the program as an assistant coach in 2016, Smistad was promoted to co-head coach in 2018 and served in that capacity before taking over the head job exclusively in 2020.

In 2019, the Shamrocks became the fourth team in Alberta’s history to win the Founders Cup national lacrosse championship.

Smistad is former BIG EAST All-Academic selection and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Smistad was a 2014 draft pick by the Calgary Roughnecks in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and joined former teammate Tyler Melnyk that season as the first Golden Eagles to be drafted by a professional league.

“Marquette is not only a special place for me, but for my whole family as it’s where I met my wife, Courtney. Marquette is home for us and we are so blessed to have the opportunity to give back to such a special place and program, I don’t think words can encapsulate how excited and grateful we are to be coming back to Milwaukee,” Smistad said.

The native of Calgary, Alberta arrived at Marquette in the fall of 2011 after two seasons at Presbyterian College, which ended its men’s lacrosse program after the 2011 season.

Andrew is married to former MU women’s volleyball player Courtney Mrotek, and the couple has one son, Theo.

Keep up with the Marquette men’s lacrosse program through social media by following on X (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and ‘liking’ on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.