Email coach
Dennis Short
Head Coach since: 2007-08
Rollins Record: 191-65 (through 2023)
Short has been the leader of Rollins women's lacrosse since its first year in 2008. He continues to build one of the most successful programs across all of Division II. In his 16 years at the helm, Short has produced 27 IWLCA All-Americans, 45 IWLCA All-Region players, 47 All-SSC selections, one IWLCA Defender of the Year, four IWLCA South Region Players of the Year, and two Final Four appearances. Short was named the 2015 SSC Coach of the Year and led the Tars to become the first SSC Champions in the tournament held in 2015.
The two-time Inside Lacrosse Coach of the Year successfully led the inaugural team in 2008 through an series of firsts, writing history along the way for the program, school, and state of Florida as Rollins became the first ever collegiate institution in the state to offer both varsity men's and women's lacrosse. In 2009, Short continued to produce success as he introduced a team that exploded into the national rankings and finished with an overall record of 12-3, just narrowly missing out on a bid to a post-season appearance. In 2010 the team went 9-5 and finished 13-4 in 2011, finishing the season ranked No. 8 in the country. Rollins made their first NCAA Semifinal appearance in 2012, then followed that with another semifinal run in 2013. The tars success continued with NCAA tournament berths in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2023. Short also led Rollins to the first ever SSC Tournament Title in 2015.
Short's program has also been recognized as a top fundraiser in Orlando from 2012-14 for St. Jude's Hospital, raising over $46,000, and is actively engaged in various community service organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Will to Live, and The Great Cycle Challenge. In addition, the women's lacrosse program has sustained a team GPA of 3.4 or higher every season since 2014 under Short.
Upon joining the Rollins community back in the team's inception in March of 2007, Short brought 16 years of coaching experience to Rollins, including 10 years at the Division I level.
Prior to moving to Central Florida, Short was head women's lacrosse coach at the University at Albany (N.Y.) for four years and was the program's first ever full-time coach.
Short led the Great Danes to three straight America East Conference Tournament appearances and coached 11 all-conference players.
He also produced 28 All-America East All-Academic selections, two America East Women's Lacrosse Scholar Athlete of the year recipients and one Chancellor's Scholar Athlete.
Prior to Albany, Short was first assistant at The Ohio State University for six seasons and helped the program transition from club to NCAA Division I status. He coached both offense and goalkeepers for the Buckeyes, who were ranked among the nation's top 10 in scoring offense in 1999 and 2000.
A native of Chalfont, Pa., Short was an assistant at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa. from 1993-95. In his final season with the program, the nationally-ranked Bears reached the NCAA Division III quarterfinals.
Short has presented 18 times at the US Lacrosse National Convention, the largest educational opportunity for coaches in the country. He has served on the Executive Committee for the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association, a mentor coach with the IWLCA, a member of the DII All America committee, the US Lacrosse Women's Division National Tournament Director, USWLA Midwest District President, Chair of the IWLCA's Growth and Coach of the Year Committees, was the Co-Director of the Albany Elite Lacrosse Club.
Short is a 1993 graduate of Ursinus where he earned a B.A. in history with a minor in English. He is married to wife Chrissy Short, former Women's Tennis Coach at the University of Albany and her alma mater The Ohio State University and the current Recruiting Coordinator for the Tars. They have a son Bodhi, and reside in Winter Park, Florida.
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