Justin Ward is returning home.

The two-time All-American attackman who was a catalyst in the Loyola Maryland men’s lacrosse program’s run to its first and only NCAA championship in 2012 was named offensive coordinator for the Greyhounds, coach Charley Toomey announced Wednesday morning.

“I’m both proud and honored to return to Loyola and serve this program,” Ward said in a written statement. “It’s a special place with special people guided by inspirational leadership. I cannot wait to get to work with Coach Toomey, the staff and our student-athletes.”

Ward helped the Greyhounds make three appearances in the NCAA Tournament before he graduated in 2014. He succeeds Marc Van Arsdale, who had filled that role since 2016 and shaped an offense that produced the school’s first Tewaaraton Award winner in attackman Pat Spencer as the nation’s top player in 2019.

But Loyola had struggled in recent years. The offense slipped to No. 52 in the country in scoring at 10.9 goals per game in 2023, a tie for No. 44 (11.3) in 2024 and No. 59 (9.6) in 2025.

Ward had been an assistant coach at Army West Point since 2017 and offensive coordinator for the Patriot League rival since 2020. This spring, the Black Knights (12-2) ranked third in the country in scoring at 14.2 goals per game, and senior attackman Jack Eicher became the fourth player in school history to be named a finalist for the Tewaaraton.

Ward tutored another Tewaaraton finalist at Army in Brendan Nichtern in 2022. During Ward’s tenure, three Black Knights players have combined to collect four Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year awards in Nichtern (2021 and 2022), Evan Plunkett (2024) and Eicher (2025).

“It is a great feeling to welcome Justin Ward home to our Loyola program,” Toomey said. “We saw Justin become one of the best offensive players in our school’s history during his time on the field, and since then, he has turned into one of the top offensive minds in collegiate coaching. The offenses he has led are some of the most organized and well-designed, and we are looking forward to getting him back to Baltimore with our team.

“Justin brings not only a great passion for winning, but he understands that the time young men spend at a school develops them for life beyond the field. He exhibits great care for his players, and we are thrilled to welcome Justin, his wife, Carlianne, and their two children back to Loyola.”

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