LEONARDTOWN, Md. – Jay Sothoron ’96 returns to St. Mary’s Ryken as Head Boys Lacrosse Coach, bringing more than 20 years of success coaching at the high school and NCAA Division I and II levels. Widely recognized as one of the sport’s most accomplished coaches, Sothoron returns to his alma mater with an impressive record of building championship-caliber programs.
Most recently, Coach Sothoron served as Program Director and Head Coach at the Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD), where he led the program for eight seasons. During his tenure, ESD captured two Texas State Championships (2019, 2024), six SPC Conference Championships, and consistently ranked among the nation’s top programs. His teams finished in the USA Lacrosse Southwest Top 10 five times in seven seasons, and in 2026, defeated nationally ranked programs Landon and Bullis before finishing No. 40 nationally according to LaxNumbers. He also became the winningest coach in ESD history and was named the 2024 Texas State Coach of the Year.
Prior to ESD, Coach Sothoron spent five seasons at Bellarmine University, serving as both offensive and defensive coordinator. Under his leadership, Bellarmine’s defense became one of the nation’s best, ranking No. 3 nationally in man-down defense in 2018 while finishing among the national leaders in goals allowed and caused turnovers. During his tenure, Bellarmine earned its first-ever berth in the Southern Conference Tournament and recorded the program’s first victory over a nationally ranked opponent.
Before Bellarmine, Coach Sothoron was the first assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Robert Morris University, where his defense ranked third nationally in caused turnovers while coaching multiple All-Conference defenders, including the nation’s leader in caused turnovers.
Coach Sothoron also served five seasons as head coach at Wheeling Jesuit University, guiding the program through its conference transition and leading one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Division II lacrosse. In 2012, the Cardinals were recognized as the NCAA Division II Most Improved Program after improving from a 4-8 record to an 11-6 season, including wins over nationally ranked opponents.
His connection to St. Mary’s Ryken runs deep. From 2003-2008, Coach Sothoron served as Assistant Athletic Director and Varsity Assistant Coach, helping lead the Knights to a 71-22 record, the program’s first-ever national ranking, and the 2007 WCAC Championship. He was recognized as the 2006 U.S. Lacrosse National Assistant Coach of the Year for secondary schools and was promoted to Associate Head Coach the following season.
Coach Sothoron began his coaching career at Greensboro College as the program’s first assistant coach and defensive coordinator before returning to his alma mater.
A proud member of the St. Mary’s Ryken Class of 1996, Sothoron is excited to return home to lead the SMR boys lacrosse program, where his lacrosse journey began. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Coach John Sothoron, the founding coach of St. Mary’s Ryken boys lacrosse and a member of the St. Mary’s Ryken Hall of Fame.
Coach Sothoron will assume his role the first week in August 2026.
For more information about the SMR boys lacrosse program, please contact athletics@smrhs.org. For more information about the SMR athletics program, please visit www.smrhs.org/athletics.
