Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/24/26
From Press Release
Athletics department officials at Mercer University announced Friday morning that Haverford School grad James Chakey, a 16-year coaching veteran with previous coaching stops at three other collegiate institutions, has been named as the men’s lacrosse program’s fifth head coach.
Chakey, a former collegiate standout at Penn State, ventures to Macon after serving the previous two seasons as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Brown. He also has similar stints on the sidelines at both High Point and Washington College.
“Every reference call included glowing recommendations, and his passion for the game combined with developing our players for life after graduation showed through,” said Mercer deputy athletics director Brian Gerrity. “I am looking forward to working with him to continue the momentum Mercer Lacrosse is experiencing!”
Chakey helped lead the Bears to a 3-game turnaround across two seasons in Rhode Island, including a 2026 campaign that was highlighted by the program’s ninth-straight Ocean State title after the Bears dominated matchups with in-state foes Providence and Bryant. Brown, who went toe-to-toe with five nationally-ranked squads, including a trio of teams that boasted a top-10 rating, concluded the campaign with a No. 38 listing in the NCAA RPI ranking.
Player development was evident across Chakey’s time in College Hill, R.I., as Brown boasted a pair of all-Americans in Trey Taylor and Marcus Wertheim, as well as a trio of all-region picks and five All-Ivy League selections. Wertheim was eventually selected with the 26th overall pick by the California Redwoods in the Premier Lacrosse League’s (PLL) college draft.
The Bears were also dominant in the classroom as well, registering the nation’s highest team grade point average in 2026, while also matching an NCAA Division I-high with six United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-American honors.
Following a long stint on the youth lacrosse level, as well as a two-year stay as assistant coach at Cary (N.C.) Academy, Chakey transitioned into the collegiate coaching world on the sidelines at Washington College in Chestertown, Md., where he helped lead the Shoremen on a 3-game turnaround across two seasons (2022-23) while mentoring five all-conference standouts. He spent the 2024 season at High Point where he constructed a defense that showcased the nation’s 10th-best caused turnovers per game (9.69), while also ranking 32nd in scoring defense (11.1 goals allowed/game).
“I am honored to be named the next head coach of the Mercer University men’s lacrosse program,” Chakey said. “This program has passionate alumni, great families and an incredible support system within the Mercer athletics department. There is great talent in the locker room that I am excited to help develop on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
“I am looking forward to hitting the ground running while showing the country that Mercer is a sleeping giant! The academics and facilities are exceptional, but the people are what makes Mercer so special. I’d like to thank Athletics Director Jim Cole and Deputy Athletics Director Brian Gerrity for this incredible opportunity. My wife Megan, my son JT and I are beyond excited to experience what Mercer has to offer. GO BEARS!”
A staunch defenseman, Chakey played in 47 games (6 starts) across four seasons (2013-16) at Penn State and concluded his collegiate career with four points on two goals and as many assists. He was named the recipient of the program’s True Grit Award following his senior campaign which is given to a student-athlete that overcomes adversity while continuing to succeed in the classroom and on the playing field throughout their career, and was also crowned as PSU’s recipient of the Big Ten’s Sportsmanship Award.
He was also recognized as a finalist for the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award which celebrates the accomplishments of Division I lacrosse players (one male, one female) who demonstrate leadership, dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, kindness and sportsmanship.
A native of Havertown, Chakey earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology with a minor in communications from Penn State in 2016.
