Brian Kelly has been appointed as the new assistant coach for Stanford Cardinal Women’s Lacrosse, starting with the 2025-26 season. The announcement was made by Danielle Spencer, Paul A. Violich Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brian and his wife, Holly, to The Farm. Brian brings over two decades of coaching experience and is held in high regard throughout the lacrosse community,” said Spencer. “His leadership and expertise will be a tremendous asset to our program, and his perspective from the men’s game will add valuable insight as we continue to innovate and grow at the highest level of competition.”
Kelly joins Stanford after four years at Johns Hopkins University, where he served as offensive coordinator and goalie coach for the men’s lacrosse team. During his time handling defensive and goalie coaching duties from 2023-24, he contributed to improving the Blue Jays’ scoring defense ranking from outside the top 50 in 2022 to inside the top 10 in 2024. Under his guidance, Johns Hopkins goalkeepers achieved a save percentage above 50% for the first time since 2018. Notably, goalkeeper Chayse Ierlan reached career-best numbers in save percentage in 2024 and ranked among the top ten nationally in both save percentage and goals against average while recording the most saves by a Blue Jay goalie since 2008.
“Thank you to Coach Spencer for believing in me and my abilities as a coach and mentor,” said Kelly. “I am so excited to begin my time on The Farm with one of the best women’s lacrosse programs in the country.”
While working under head coach Peter Milliman at Johns Hopkins, Kelly helped lead the team to a share of two Big Ten regular season titles during his first two seasons. He also contributed to two NCAA Quarterfinal appearances and an overall record of 29-19. From 2023-25, fifteen players earned All-American honors under his coaching, including four defenders recognized in 2024.
Before joining Johns Hopkins, Kelly spent fifteen years at Goucher College—first as an assistant coach from 2008-12, then as head coach from 2012-22. As head coach of Goucher’s program, he led them to three Landmark Conference Tournament appearances (2013, 2014, 2018) with a trip to the title game in 2014. Earlier as an assistant coach, he helped guide Goucher to two NCAA Tournament appearances; notably in 2012 when they set school records for wins (18), winning percentage (.900), and achieved a program-best fifteen-game win streak before losing in round two.
As a player at Johns Hopkins University, Kelly was part of teams that reached NCAA semifinals in both 1992 and 1993. He received Honorable Mention USILA All-American recognition as a midfielder in 1993 along with awards for sportsmanship and leadership during his final year there. Prior to that collegiate career, he captained Community College of Baltimore County’s NJCAA Championship team in 1991 where he earned Second Team All-American honors.
Beyond college coaching roles, Kelly has directed various club programs such as Baltimore Crabs and True Lacrosse—mentoring young athletes nationwide—and will now work similarly with Won Club near Stanford.
Kelly graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences (2003) and later earned a master’s degree from Goucher College (2021). His achievements have been recognized by induction into both the NJCAA Lacrosse Hall of Fame (2015) and Towson High School Athletics Hall of Fame (2017).
