James Purpura Joins Buckeyes’ Coaching Staff
6/23/2025 9:59:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Head coach Nick Myers announced Monday the addition of James Purpura to the men's lacrosse coaching staff.
"We're excited to welcome James into the Buckeye family," Myers said. "He has built a reputation of developing successful programs and I know he'll have an immediate impact on Buckeye Lacrosse both on and off the field."
Purpura, who will serve as offensive coordinator, joins associate head coach and defensive coordinator Travis Crane and assistant coach and special teams coordinator Justin Tuma.
"I want to thank Coach Myers and everyone at The Ohio State University for the opportunity to join the men's lacrosse program," Purpura said. "From our very first conversation, I became increasingly excited as he shared his vision for the future of Buckeye Lacrosse. I'm eager to get to Columbus, build strong relationships with our student-athletes and get to work."
Purpura comes to Ohio State after five seasons as head coach at Virginia Military Institute. While at the helm of the Keydets, Purpurta's tenure culminated with leading the team to its most successful season in 37 years. In each of his five seasons in Lexington, Va., the program increased its win totals, going from a one-win season to a program record 10 Division I wins in 2025. The team finished last season second nationally in goals per game, third in extra-man offense and shooting percentage and earned a vote in the national polls.
He spent seven total seasons at VMI, starting as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the program from 2017-18. During that time, he was instrumental in the Keydet offense improving in nearly every statistical category.
Prior to leading the Keydets, Purpura served as head coach at Arcadia for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The 2019 Middle Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year led the Knights to a 14-11 record. He guided the team to its first playoff appearance in 2019.
He has prior coaching stops as assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Queens (2016) and SUNY Brockport (2014) and graduate assistant at Frostburg State (2015).
A 2013 graduate of SUNY Geneseo, Purpura helped the Knights to consecutive SUNYAC playoff berths and a SUNYAC championship game appearances.
Purpura currently serves as a committee member of the NCAA Lacrosse Rules Committee. He is joined in Columbus by his wife, Leah, and their dog, Billie.
"We're excited to welcome James into the Buckeye family," Myers said. "He has built a reputation of developing successful programs and I know he'll have an immediate impact on Buckeye Lacrosse both on and off the field."
Purpura, who will serve as offensive coordinator, joins associate head coach and defensive coordinator Travis Crane and assistant coach and special teams coordinator Justin Tuma.
"I want to thank Coach Myers and everyone at The Ohio State University for the opportunity to join the men's lacrosse program," Purpura said. "From our very first conversation, I became increasingly excited as he shared his vision for the future of Buckeye Lacrosse. I'm eager to get to Columbus, build strong relationships with our student-athletes and get to work."
Purpura comes to Ohio State after five seasons as head coach at Virginia Military Institute. While at the helm of the Keydets, Purpurta's tenure culminated with leading the team to its most successful season in 37 years. In each of his five seasons in Lexington, Va., the program increased its win totals, going from a one-win season to a program record 10 Division I wins in 2025. The team finished last season second nationally in goals per game, third in extra-man offense and shooting percentage and earned a vote in the national polls.
He spent seven total seasons at VMI, starting as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the program from 2017-18. During that time, he was instrumental in the Keydet offense improving in nearly every statistical category.
Prior to leading the Keydets, Purpura served as head coach at Arcadia for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The 2019 Middle Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year led the Knights to a 14-11 record. He guided the team to its first playoff appearance in 2019.
He has prior coaching stops as assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Queens (2016) and SUNY Brockport (2014) and graduate assistant at Frostburg State (2015).
A 2013 graduate of SUNY Geneseo, Purpura helped the Knights to consecutive SUNYAC playoff berths and a SUNYAC championship game appearances.
Purpura currently serves as a committee member of the NCAA Lacrosse Rules Committee. He is joined in Columbus by his wife, Leah, and their dog, Billie.
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