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Graham Niemi’s 13-year career at Yale included a 2004-06 run as defensive coordinator, and a 2007-16 stint leading the offense.
Niemi was also responsible for all recruiting and prospect evaluations for lacrosse at the university during his tenure, coaching eight all-Americans, four Ivy League Tournament MVPs and 27 All Ivy League players along the way.
With Niemi as a coach, Yale won the Ivy League Tournament championship in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016, participating in the NCAA tournament those same years.
Before Yale, Niemi made coaching stops at the University of Maryland, Loyola College and Washington College.
He also served as head coach of the Finland Lacrosse National Team from 2006 through 2008.
As a player at the University of Maryland, Niemi, who lettered four times, was a two-year starter.
During his time at the school, Maryland participated in four NCAA tournaments, making it to the NCAA Division I final in 1995.
In addition to his college coaching experience, Niemi also founded the Bulldog Lacrosse Club, where he has worked with some of the best Connecticut high school talent over the past 11 years.
At Fairfield Prep, Niemi will take the reigns from former head coach Chris Smalkais, who recently retired after a 30-year career in which he guided the team to six state championships.
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