By Nathan Max
WSL Executive Editor

The most successful college lacrosse program on the West Coast over the past few years has hired one of West’s the most successful high school coaches to take over its program.

Dallas Hartley, who has led La Costa Canyon to four CIF-San Diego Section titles, has been named the new head coach at MCLA Division I powerhouse Chapman University in Orange, Calif. Hartley takes over for Mike Wood, who was fired in the offseason after leading the Panthers to three straight MCLA Division I final fours and a 50-8 overall record.

Hartley takes over a program that, despite all its success, has fired its last two head coaches.

“It’s an honor to be selected as Chapman’s head coach,” Hartley said. ”My tenure at La Costa Canyon High School was very enjoyable, and I will always value the relationships with my LCC players, parents and colleagues.

“Here at Chapman, we hope to continue the incredible successes that the previous coaches, the current players and alumni, and the athletic administration have worked together to build. I couldn’t be more proud to represent such a fantastic school and successful program.”

Hartley coached at La Costa Canyon for the past nine years, including eight as the varsity team’s head coach. Under his tenure, the Mavericks won seven straight North County Conference championships, played in eight straight CIF-San Diego Section championship games and won CIF titles in 2010, 2008, 2006 and 2005.

During that time, La Costa Canyon compiled an overall record of 141-29, including two undefeated seasons, and a North County Conference record of 70-6. In 2010, the Mavericks finished the season 23-0 and were ranked No. 2 in the Western United States. La Costa Canyon also went unbeaten in 2005.

Hartley has been selected CIF Coach of the Year four times.

“Dallas brings a wealth of experience, and he has a great familiarity with our team and our players at Chapman, many of whom he coached at La Costa Canyon,” Chapman’s Vice Chancellor and Dean of Enrollment Mike Pelly said. “I think he's the right person to take Chapman lacrosse to the next level, which is pretty darn high considering the team’s recent success under former coach Mike Wood.

A 2000 graduate of Sonoma State University, Hartley received numerous accolades as a player. He was named team captain in 2000, earned first-team All-WCLL honors in 1998, 1999 and 2000, USILA All-American honors in 1999 and 2000, and USILA first-team All-Tournament honors in 1999 and 2000 as a long-stick middie. Hartley was inducted into the Sonoma State Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2005.

Hartley began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Sonoma State University in 2001.

“I can’t think of a more qualified person for the job,” Pelly said. “Dallas has the right mix of leadership, knowledge and vision needed to continue the successful momentum of our team.

"And I think he’s also a great match for our athletic department. We are one of the few teams in the MCLA that reports directly to athletics, and since Dallas was born into a family with several former collegiate athletic directors, college athletics is in his blood. I look to him to build a strong relationship with our current administration.”