UNIVERSITY PARK Pa.- The Penn State men's soccer program and head coach Jeff Cook announce Sean Lawlor as the assistant coach. Lawlor comes to Happy Valley from Syracuse where he served as an assistant coach for almost four years. 
 
"I would like to thank head coach Jeff Cook for giving me this wonderful opportunity to work for Penn State men's soccer," Lawlor said. "My family and I are beyond excited to move to Happy Valley and be a part of an incredible program."
 
Cook said, "I am delighted that Sean Lawlor will be joining our Penn State men's soccer coaching staff! Throughout the hiring process, Sean consistently emerged as the outstanding candidate. He displayed an impressive depth of knowledge and commitment to the well-being of student-athletes. Sean's significant experience across many years of Division I coaching, including his contributions to Syracuse's National Championship last season, will greatly benefit our program going forward. On behalf of our entire program, we are very excited to welcome Sean, his wife, Katie and their daughter, Avery to Penn State and the wider Centre County community!"
 
In his time at Syracuse, Lawlor helped lead the team to an ACC Atlantic Division regular season title, ACC Tournament Championship and go on to win the NCAA National Championship this past year. He was an integral part of planning and organizing training sessions and recruiting. Lawlor recruited Nathan Opoku, who just signed with Leicester City Football Club in the Premier League, the highest level of England's soccer league system. He also recruited DeAndre Kerr, Russell Shealy and Abdi Salim who have been drafted in the MLS SuperDraft over the last two years.
 
Lawlor added, "I would also like to thank Ian McIntyre, the staff and student-athletes at Syracuse University. I had a fantastic four years topped off by the incredible 2022 season."
 
"It is both a happy and sad day," said Syracuse head men's soccer coach Ian McIntyre. "I am very excited for Sean and his wonderful family as they embark on the next chapter in their coaching journey together at Penn State. Sean is an outstanding coach and an even better person. He is a hard working, talented, innovative and loyal coach who has been an integral part of our success here at Syracuse. We will miss Sean and his family but wish them the best of luck at Penn State!" said McIntyre.
 
Cook also added, "We are grateful to the cooperation and professionalism of Syracuse University and head coach Ian McIntyre throughout the interview process. Ian has been a great mentor for Sean and is one of the outstanding coaches in NCAA Division I men's soccer."
 
Prior to his four years at Syracuse, Lawlor spent the previous four years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Drexel. He helped lead the Dragons to an undefeated non-conference season in 2018. Lawlor was responsible for organizing, planning and conducting training sessions, preparing scouting reports, coordinating team travel and serving as the liaison with support staff. As the recruiting coordinator, he arranged all visits for perspective student-athletes. Lawlor recruited 2018 all-region honoree Mathias Ebbesen and Chris Donovan, a CAA MVP and current Philadelphia Union striker. 
 
The Blackpool, England native earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Le Moyne College in Syracuse in 2011. He was a member of the Dolphins men's soccer program where he started in 70 matches and helped lead the team to the Northeat-10 Championship and an NCAA Division II Final Four appearance in 2009.
 
Lawlor holds a UEFA C coaching license.