College

Coaching acomplishments

Best thing about being a Sweetlax coach is giving back and watching the development of young players.

Favorite thing to do on days off

Spend time with my daughter and girlfriend

Biography

Coach Knope started his coaching career in 2002 under the leadership of Rory Whipple at Bryant College for three seasons where he was responsible for running the substitution box, assisting with running the defense and team recruiting.

In 2004 Knope returned home to Rochester and in 2006 joined the Churchville Chili Saints as an Assistant Coach. He helped guide the team to their first winning season since the inception of the Varsity program in 2005. In 2007, Matt was asked to join the Irondequoit Eagles as an Assistant Coach under the direction of Craig Whipple. During his time with the program, the team amassed 4 Section V titles, 3 Regional titles, 1 Upstate Title and 1 State appearance in 2012 falling to State Champion, Garden City. In 2012, Knope helped the program reach their second State Championship since 1993. Knope was named Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014.

In 2007, Knope coached Team Rochester at the Brine National Lacrosse Classic. Rochester won the tournament 4 times and went on to win the Brogden Cup 3 out of 4 times they competed. After working with Team Rochester Knope went on to join the coaching staff with Sweetlax Lacrosse as they launched their program. Knope has helped lead several of our teams to championship games.

As a player, Knope played for Irondequoit High School where he graduated in 1997 with 3 Section V Championships and 3 Regional appearances. He went on to play for Ohio Wesleyan College under Head Coach Lelan Rogers (now Assistant Coach & Defensive Coordinator at Syracuse University).

During his time the Bishops were ranked #1 for fifteen weeks in 1999, eventually losing to the National Champion Nazareth Golden Flyers.