Led by head coach Michael Schanhals '91, Hope College has been chosen as the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association 2026 Coaching Staff of the Year for NCAA Division III.

Schanhals joined assistants Chris Scheldt '12, Caden Brainard '25, John Hunger '18, and Pablo Peschiera in leading the Flying Dutchmen to the best season in program history, which included a breakthrough performance in the NCAA Division III Championships.

Hope finished with: 

• a program-best 20-1 record;
• No. 16 ranking in final USA Lacrosse poll, the first national ranking in program history;
• the first NCAA Division III quarterfinals appearance in program history;
• an undefeated 18-game regular season;
• the fifth MIAA Tournament title in program history; and 
• a third consecutive MIAA regular-season championship and sixth overall.

Schanhals has guided the Flying Dutchmen lacrosse team since 2005, including the past 14 seasons as an NCAA program. He has directed Hope to a 156-62 overall record (.716) and a 60-18 mark in MIAA play (.769).

Scheldt, the team's defensive coordinator, has served on the coaching staff since 2015. Brainard and Hunger joined the coaching staff this season. Peschiera is a volunteer coach.