Concordia University Wisconsin

Michael Fahey, a native of Buffalo, New York, completed his 12th season as head coach of the Concordia University Wisconsin men’s lacrosse program in 2025, holding an impressive career record of 132-68. Since being promoted to head coach by Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Barnhill on May 5, 2014—after serving in an interim role—Fahey has built the Falcons into a perennial contender, posting double-digit win seasons in 10 of his 12 years at the helm.

Under his leadership, the program reached new heights in 2019 with a record-setting campaign that included a program-best 15 wins, the first outright Midwest Lacrosse Conference (MLC) regular season and tournament championships, and the program’s first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.

Fahey has established the Falcons as a consistent force in conference play, compiling a dominant 75-18 record and an .806 winning percentage in league games. In both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, CUW finished among the top three in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) and advanced to the championship game, despite the expanded conference format in 2025. Attackman Max Esposito earned NACC Offensive Player of the Year honors in both years, marking his third consecutive selection.

In 2023, Fahey recorded his 100th career victory with a 13-6 win over Kalamazoo. The Falcons finished tied for second in the NACC at 6-2 and posted an overall record of 11-6, including a 6-3 mark at home. Esposito was once again named NACC Offensive Player of the Year. The previous season, CUW returned to the postseason after finishing 6-2 in conference play and 10-7 overall.

Defensive excellence has been a hallmark of Fahey’s teams. His 2019 squad ranked second nationally in scoring defense (6.05 goals per game) and 14th in man-down defense (.817). In 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic shortening the season, the Falcons held opponents to just 8.15 goals per game and allowed six or fewer goals in four of their six contests. Throughout Fahey’s tenure, CUW has consistently ranked in the top 30 nationally in scoring defense, including three top-10 finishes in man-down defense—highlighted by a second-place national ranking in 2015. That same season, the Falcons led all of NCAA Division III in man-up offense, converting at a 55.4 percent clip (31-of-56).

Goalkeeper Garrett Wohlford, one of the most decorated players in program history, thrived under Fahey’s system. He was named MLC Defensive Player of the Year in each of his four seasons—the only player in league history to achieve the feat. In 2019, he led the nation in save percentage (.671) and ranked second in goals-against average (6.37). The Rochester, Minnesota native holds nearly every CUW goaltending record.

Fahey’s accolades include two MLC Coach of the Year honors (2016 and 2019), six straight MLC Tournament appearances—five of which reached the championship game—and an MLC Tournament title in 2019. He has coached 59 All-MLC selections, including 23 First Team honorees. Among the program’s top award winners under his guidance are Stephen Gregory (2019 MLC Co-Offensive Player of the Year), Ryan Voskuil (2017 MLC Rookie of the Year), and Wohlford, who was also named 2016 MLC Rookie of the Year.

Before joining CUW, Fahey had a decorated playing career. He began at Onondaga Community College, where he was part of the 2007 NJCAA National Championship team, and later transferred to Lees-McRae College in North Carolina. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Lees-McRae in 2011 and was named Academic All-Conference multiple semesters. During his senior year, he helped lead the program to a No. 2 national ranking in saves per game.

* The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Joined the NACC in the 2020 season.