Associate head coach Derek Marks joined the Canisius men's lacrosse program in September, 2017.
In his role with the Golden Griffins, Marks handles the team’s defensive players and schemes while overseeing the team’s recruiting efforts. He also assists in the day-to-day operations of the program.
In his first season with the program, Marks helped guide Canisius to its highest win total in 10 seasons. He also helped lead the squad to the 2018 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship as the Griffs recorded a pair of thrilling overtime victories against top seeds Quinnipiac and Detroit Mercy on their way to their third league title in program history.
Individually, defenders Holden Garlent and Logan Monroe were named All-MAAC First Team, part of a record nine Griffs to earn all-conference distinction for the 2018 campaign.
The 2019 season saw Marks mentor a Griffs’ defense that ranked 17th nationally in scoring defense (10.17), helping the squad record victories against nationally-ranked Colgate and eventual Northeast Conference Tournament champion Robert Morris, before qualifying for the MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship for the fourth consecutive season.
Garlent was an All-MAAC First Team selection for the second consecutive season as he ranked second in the MAAC in caused turnovers and third in caused turnovers per game. He was one of three members of the Canisius defense to garner all-conference distinction as Monroe and senior goalie Brad Nordstrom were both All-MAAC Second Team selections.
The 2021 season saw Marks help lead Canisius to a 5-5 record, highlighted by the program’s fourth consecutive appearance in the semifinal round of the MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Playing a conference-only schedule, the Griffs picked up wins against eventual MAAC Champion Monmouth as well as defending champion and preseason favorite Marist during the pandemic-shortened campaign. Defensman Ryan Sharkey and long-stick midfielder Isaiah Ricketts were both All-MAAC Second Team selections.
Marks joined the Golden Griffins from Post University, where he served as head coach for the previous two seasons. The program’s all-time winningest coach, he guided the Eagles to a school-record six wins during his first season in 2016 and the program’s second All-New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) performer.
The stint was Marks’ second with the Eagles, having previously served as the top assistant for the team’s inaugural season in 2014. The Eagles won four games that year and boasted an All-NEILA selection.
Prior to his return to Post, Marks spent the 2015 as an assistant coach with Fairfield University, helping guide the Stags to a Colonial Athletic Association regular season title and a USILA national ranking. He played a key role in the development of the CAA’s Rookie of the Year and seven all-conference selections.
Marks began his career at Mitchell College, working as an assistant for one year before being promoted to head coach, a position he held for three seasons (2011-13). In 2011, he led the Mariners to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) North Regional Playoffs. Mitchell repeated that feat in 2013.
A native of East Lyme, Conn., Marks graduated from Sacred Heart in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and sports management.
