Steve Manitta joined head coach Tom Leanos' staff as an assistant coach in the summer of 2015.
Manitta is a highly accomplished lacrosse coach with two decades of experience and a long history of success on the high school, Division II and Division I levels. He comes to the Forest after a three-year stint as the head coach at Division I Manhattan College, where he guided the Jaspers to individual and team accomplishments on and off the field. Manitta recruited the program’s first three high school All-Americans, coached five All-MAAC Conference selections, and developed the 2014 MAAC Long Stick Midfielder of the Year. The team also placed 12 student-athletes on the MAAC All-Academic Team during his tenure.
“We are thrilled to welcome Steve to Drew University and the men’s lacrosse coaching staff,” said Leanos, who enters his 33rd season at the helm of the Rangers in 2016. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and an unparalleled passion for the game of lacrosse. His commitment to growing the game is well known and his tireless work ethic has helped shaped countless young men into the best players they can be. I can’t wait to see him on the sidelines and in the office.”
Manitta’s lacrosse coaching career began in 1993 at Roxbury High School, where he was hired as the program’s first coach. By his third season at Roxbury, he qualified the team for the NJSIAA State Playoffs. Manitta went on to accept the head coach position at Chatham High School in 2001 and compiled a 115-47 record over nine seasons. He was named the Star Ledger and Daily Record Coach of the Year in 2002 and coached five All-Americans, a State Player of the Year, and a State Midfielder of the Year during his time at Chatham.
Strong recruiting skills and 16 years of player development inspired Manitta to seek his first collegiate coaching gig in 2010. He was hired as the first head lacrosse coach in Mercy College history and also served as an assistant athletic director until 2012. His accolades at Mercy included an East Coast Conference Coach of the Year award in 2011 after posting an 11-3 record and a No. 7 national ranking. He recruited and developed the Division II Goalkeeper of the Year in 2011 and created the program’s strength and conditioning platform.
"What an outstanding opportunity I've been assigned at Drew University,” Manitta said. “I've known Coach Leanos for years. He's a first class educator, and I couldn't be more excited to learn from a true Hall of Famer and assist in the continued development of this Rangers program."
Manitta earned a bachelor degree in business management from Nyack College in 2006.
