Hempstead, NY – Hofstra Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney completed his 2019-20 coaching staff appointments today with the hiring of Michael Gongas Jr. as assistant coach. Gongas joins fellow assistants John Gorman and Tim McIntee on the Pride staff.

Gongas, a native of Port Jefferson, New York, brings 12 years of collegiate and professional coaching experience to Hofstra. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach in charge of the offense, goalies and recruiting during the 2019 season at Belmont Abbey College. Since April 2018, Gongas has also served as an assistant coach in charge of the goalies, man-up situations and the box and assisting with the offense for the New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse.

A 2007 graduate of Adelphi University in nearby Garden City, New York, Gongas played two seasons for the Panthers earning All-American honors as a senior. Prior to Adelphi, he played two years of lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts and was a member of the Minutemen's 2005 squad that advanced to the NCAA Championship Quarterfinals. Gongas was also a member of Comsewogue High School's 2002 New York State Championship team and earned All-American and All-Long Island honors in 2003.

Gongas began his coaching career at Suffolk County (NY) Community College as an assistant directing the offense, goalies and serving as study hall advisor from August 2007 through December 2007. He left Suffolk to begin a four-year tenure at Presbyterian College, the first two seasons as an assistant coach in charge of the offense, goalies, recruiting, student-athlete development and study hall advisor. In September 2009 he was promoted to Head Men's Lacrosse Coach and served in that capacity until June 2011.
 
In August 2011, Gongas became an assistant coach in charge of the offense, recruiting and study hall at Sacred Heart University. After two years at Sacred Heart he moved on to Marist College where he spent five years as an assistant coach working as offense and goalies coach, recruiting coordinator, head of player development, community service coordinator and serving as the IMLCA representative for assistant coaches in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

Gongas was drafted by the Long Island Lizards in the 2007 MLL Supplemental Draft and participated in their 2008 training camp. He also participated in the 2007 National Lacrosse League (indoor) combine and signed a contract with the New York Titans.

Gongas holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from Adelphi.