JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville men's lacrosse head coach John Galloway has announced the hiring of former three-time All-American and 2022 PLL All-Star, JT Giles-Harris, as the team's new assistant coach.
"Hiring JT has felt like years in the making," said Galloway. "After watching JT's work ethic while on the sidelines and recruiting at Hampton, our staff knew this was someone who would make our program better. JT has humility and confidence that are rare in a player of his level. His playing experience speaks for itself. As the defenseman of the year in the PLL in 2022, JT is still learning from the best at the highest level. He will also be leading the Team USA defense this upcoming week in the world championship games. JT's pedigree will motivate everyone in our locker room, including players and staff. I can't wait to go to war with him!"
Giles-Harris comes from Hampton University, where he spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach. While coaching at Hampton, Giles-Harris has also had a successful professional playing career in the Premier Lacrosse League. In 2022, the year Giles-Harris started coaching, he was named the PLL's defensive player of the year, as well as an All-Star. Recently, the Duke grad was featured on the cover of USA Lacrosse Magazine as he prepared to play for Team USA this summer at the 2023 World Lacrosse Men's Championship. In the Championship less than a week ago, Giles-Harris and the US took home gold on July 1 and the new Dolphins assistant coach was named to the tournaments All-World Team for his dominant display. Now, the decorated lacrosse player will coach at Jacksonville.
"I am excited to join Coach Galloway and his staff at Jacksonville University," said Giles-Harris. "Coach Woodson and Hampton University provided me an excellent stepping stone for my career, and I hope to continue learning from one of the best staffs in the country."
Giles-Harris played in 81 games across five seasons at Duke and was a two-year team captain of the Blue Devils. During his career, he won the 2021 William F. Schmeisser Award, which is awarded annually to the nation's top defenseman. He was also a three-time All-American, twice first team and once third team, and a two-time All-ACC selection. He currently holds the Duke program record for caused turnovers with 89 and scooped up 147 ground balls during his days as a collegiate player. After his collegiate career, Giles-Harris was drafted third overall in the PLL College Draft by Chrome Lacrosse Club.
Not to be overshadowed, Giles-Harris was a standout in the classroom as well, as he was named to the All-ACC Academic Team twice and the ACC Academic Honor Roll three times.
A native of Nyack, New York and a graduate of St. Joseph Regional (New Jersey) High School, Giles-Harris was a four-year letter winner in lacrosse where he scooped up 511 ground balls in his career and was a 2016 Under Armour All-American pick.
